Day63: Meet Tianzhou-9: China’s Heavy-Hitting Space Cargo Beast!

Описание: China just launched the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft to the Tiangong Space Station — and the sky lit up like a glowing space jellyfish! 🚀🌌

🔍 🚀 Mission Overview – Why Tianzhou-9 Matters:

Launch Date: July 15, 2025 – From Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan, China.
Rocket: Long March 7 Y10 — a medium-lift launch vehicle tailored for cargo missions.
Spacecraft: Tianzhou-9 (天舟九号) – “Heavenly Ship 9”
Destination: Tiangong Space Station (orbiting at ~400 km altitude)

⚙️ Technical Facts That Make It Work:

🚀 Rocket – Long March 7 Y10:
Type: Two-stage liquid-fueled rocket
Propellant: Kerosene + Liquid Oxygen (RP-1/LOX)
Max Payload to LEO: ~13.5 tonnes

Used for: Cargo runs to Tiangong, supports fast-launch logistics.

🛰️ Tianzhou-9 Highlights:

Total Cargo Mass: ~6.5 to 7.4 tonnes (Record for China)
~780 kg of scientific instruments
Over 190 varieties of food

Feitian-2 EVA suits (20-spacewalk capacity, upgraded from 15)
Core-muscle anti-atrophy exercise device for long-duration astronauts

Power Source: Two solar panels, unfolded post-launch

Autonomous Docking: Completed in just 3 hours (fast-rendezvous system)

💡 Why the Sky Glowed Like a “Jellyfish”:

The rocket’s upper-stage plume expanded in the sunlit upper atmosphere.

Result: Shock diamonds + vapor trails created glowing, cloud-like visuals.

This “space jellyfish” effect was seen across Hainan, southern China & Vietnam.
Caused by engine exhaust interacting with high-altitude conditions before sunrise.

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