# Tianzhou 6

> 2023 Chinese resupply spaceflight to the Tiangong Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q118128651](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118128651)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianzhou_6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tianzhou-6

## Summary
Tianzhou 6 was a Chinese resupply spaceflight launched in 2023 to service the Tiangong Space Station. Manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and operated by the China National Space Administration, the mission successfully delivered cargo to the station's Tianhe core module on May 10, 2023. It represented the sixth flight of the Tianzhou-class cargo spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** May 10, 2023, at 13:22:51 UTC.
- **Operator:** China National Space Administration.
- **Manufacturer:** China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 7 (specifically the Y7 variant).
- **Launch Site:** Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.
- **Destination:** Tiangong Space Station (Tianhe core module).
- **Docking Time:** May 10, 2023, at 21:16 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2023-063A.
- **Mission Sequence:** Followed Tianzhou 5 (2022) and was succeeded by Tianzhou 7 (2024).
- **Orbit:** Low Earth Orbit.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Tianzhou 6 launched?
A: Tianzhou 6 was launched on May 10, 2023, at 13:22:51 UTC from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.

### Q: Where did Tianzhou 6 dock?
A: The spacecraft docked at the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong Space Station. It completed docking on May 10, 2023, at 21:16 UTC.

### Q: What type of spacecraft is Tianzhou 6?
A: Tianzhou 6 is an uncrewed Chinese cargo spacecraft developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is designed to resupply the Tiangong Space Station.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Tianzhou 6?
A: The mission was launched using a Long March 7 rocket, specifically the Y7 variant.

## Why It Matters
Tianzhou 6 plays a critical role in the logistical chain of the Tiangong Space Station, ensuring the continued habitability and operation of China's permanent outpost in low Earth orbit. As a resupply mission, its primary function was to transport essential provisions, scientific experiments, and propellant to the station, allowing the crew to conduct long-duration missions.

The mission highlights the operational maturity of the China National Space Administration and the Tianzhou spacecraft series. Following the Tianzhou 5 mission in late 2022, Tianzhou 6 maintained the regular cadence of supply runs required for the station's expansion and utilization. The successful launch and automated docking demonstrate the reliability of the Long March 7 launch vehicle and the precision of the Tianzhou guidance systems. By bridging the gap between the Tianzhou 5 and Tianzhou 7 missions, this flight was essential for sustaining the station's crew throughout 2023 and into 2024.

## Notable For
- Being the sixth mission of the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft class.
- Docking in a "backwards" orientation (dorsal port) relative to the Tianhe module.
- Utilizing the Long March 7 Y7 rocket variant.
- Executing a rapid launch-to-docking timeline on the same calendar date (May 10, 2023).
- Serving as the primary resupply link between the Tianzhou 5 and Tianzhou 7 missions.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Tianzhou 6 was a resupply spaceflight classified under the Tianzhou series of spacecraft. Its primary objective was to deliver cargo to the Tiangong Space Station. The mission is designated by the COSPAR ID 2023-063A.

### Launch Specifications
The mission launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center. It utilized a Long March 7 launch vehicle, identified as the Y7 variant. The liftoff occurred precisely on May 10, 2023, at 13:22:51.

### Docking and Operations
Upon reaching low Earth orbit, Tianzhou 6 proceeded to dock with the Tianhe core module. The docking event took place on May 10, 2023, at 21:16. The spacecraft approached and berthed at the backwards-facing port of the Tianhe module.

### Program Context
This mission was part of a continuous chain of resupply flights. It was preceded by Tianzhou 5, which launched in 2022, and was subsequently followed by Tianzhou 7, scheduled for 2024.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Tianzhou 6",
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report