This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Nov 12, 2022 shows the inside view of the core module Tianhe after China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-5 conducting a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the combination of the space station Tiangong. Photo:Xinhua

China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-5, delivering supplies for the space station, successfully completed its status setting and docked with the combination of the country's space station on Saturday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

At 12:10 pm (Beijing Time), Tianzhou-5 conducted a fast automated rendezvous and docking at the rear docking port of the space station's core module Tianhe, the CMSA said.

This is the first time that Chinese astronauts witness the arrival of a cargo craft in the country's space station.

This mission achieved fast automated rendezvous and docking within about two hours. It is of great significance for improving the level of China's space rendezvous and docking, and for enhancing the emergency supply capacity for the space station.

The Long March-7 Y6 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-5, blasted off at 10:03 am from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan.

 

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Nov 12, 2022 shows China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-5 having conducted a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the combination of the space station Tiangong. Photo:Xinhua

 

This simulated image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Nov 12, 2022 shows China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-5 having conducted a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the combination of the space station Tiangong. Photo:Xinhua

 

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Nov 12, 2022 shows China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-5 having conducted a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the combination of the space station Tiangong. Photo:Xinhua