# Tianzhou 2

> Tianzhou 2 is a unmaned cargo spacecraft created by China.

**Wikidata**: [Q106823153](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106823153)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianzhou_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tianzhou-2

## Summary  
Tianzhou 2 is an unmanned cargo spacecraft developed by China as part of its Tianzhou program. It was launched in 2021 to deliver supplies to the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station. The spacecraft played a critical role in China's space station operations before its controlled re-entry in 2022.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** May 29, 2021, at 12:55:29 UTC from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.  
- **Operator:** China National Space Administration (CNSA).  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 7 rocket.  
- **Mission Duration:** 440,504 minutes (~10 months).  
- **Destination:** Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station.  
- **Re-entry Date:** March 31, 2022, at 10:40 UTC.  
- **Manufacturer:** China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.  
- **Preceded by:** Tianzhou 1 (2017).  
- **Followed by:** Tianzhou 3 (2021).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Tianzhou 2?  
A: Tianzhou 2 delivered supplies to the Tianhe core module of China's Tiangong space station and supported docking tests for future missions.  

### Q: How long did Tianzhou 2 remain in orbit?  
A: It stayed in orbit for approximately 10 months before its controlled re-entry on March 31, 2022.  

### Q: What rocket launched Tianzhou 2?  
A: It was launched aboard a Long March 7 rocket from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.  

## Why It Matters  
Tianzhou 2 was a key milestone in China's ambitious space station program, demonstrating the country's capability to autonomously resupply orbital habitats. Its successful docking and cargo delivery validated critical technologies for sustaining long-term human presence in space. The mission also tested docking maneuvers, including forward and backward approaches, which are essential for future crewed and cargo missions. By proving the reliability of the Tianzhou spacecraft, China solidified its position as a major player in space logistics, reducing reliance on international partners for space station operations.  

## Notable For  
- **First Cargo Mission to Tianhe:** Tianzhou 2 was the first cargo spacecraft to dock with the Tianhe core module.  
- **Extended Docking Tests:** Conducted multiple docking and repositioning maneuvers to validate procedures.  
- **Controlled Re-entry:** Safely deorbited after completing its mission, minimizing space debris.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on May 29, 2021, at 12:55:29 UTC from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.  
- Used a Long March 7 rocket for ascent.  
- Primary mission: Deliver supplies to the Tianhe module of the Tiangong space station.  

### Docking Operations  
- First docking: May 29, 2021, at 21:01 UTC (backwards orientation).  
- Repositioned multiple times, including forwards dockings on January 5 and 7, 2022.  
- Total docked duration: Over 2632 hours (~110 days).  

### Re-entry  
- Deorbited on March 31, 2022, at 10:40 UTC.  
- Burned up during atmospheric re-entry over a designated area.  

### Technical Specifications  
- Manufacturer: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.  
- Operator: China National Space Administration (CNSA).  
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Tianzhou 2",
  "description": "Tianzhou 2 is an unmanned cargo spacecraft developed by China for resupply missions to the Tiangong space station.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106828203", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianzhou_2"],
  "additionalType": "Spacecraft"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report