Curated by:
zarya.info article at the Space Policy Online website
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Launches Related to China's Piloted Programme
The table lists all launches in connection with development of China's piloted spacecraft Shenzhou and the space station that it will eventually serve.
Included in the listing are Shenzhou plus the Tiangong, Tianzhou and BanXing satellites and spacecraft. All Shenzhou missions used a CZ 2F rocket launching out of Jiuquan. Tianzhou vehicles were launched atop a CZ 7 launched from the new Wenchang Space Centre.
In 2021 and 2022, China used its new CZ 5B rocket to launch the three. main modules of the Chinese Space Station (Tianhe, Wentian and Megtian) from Wenchang but current plans will still see Shenzhou departing from Jiuquan.
Shenzhou Orbital Modules
For the first mission only, the orbital module remained attached to the re-entry vehicle, undergoing a destructive re-entry following main vehicle retro-fire and its subsequent separation from the descent module.
On missions two through to six, orbital modules were constructed as independent spacecraft so, after separation prior to the main vehicle retro-fire, they pursued independent research missions using onboard sensors.
On the Shenzhhou 7 mission, the orbital module served as an airlock.
Shenzhou 8 was the first serial production spacecraft produced for routine space station support. Its orbital module was, like Soyuz, designed as an entry portal to Tiangong and Tianhe. It was cast off after retro-fire and re-entered naturally through its orbit being pulled lower by air drag.
Space-Track erroneously Catalogues ALL Shenzhou Orbital Modules as payloads.
Orbital Parameters
Since the first Shenzhou entered orbit in 1999 there have been some subtle changes in the orbital inclination used. The first two missions in 1999 and 2001 entered orbits at 42°.6. Shenzhou 3, in 2002, used an orbit with a slightly lower 42°.4 inclination and, until 2008 and Shenzhou 7, it was the norm.
In 2011, following a three year hiatus, Tiangong 1 entered orbit at the new inclination of 42°.8 to start a new phase of orbital operations. Tiangong 2 used the same inclination.
As all Shenzhou missions in this period involved rendezvous with Tiangong, it was natural that they too followed suit.
There was another inclination change, in 2021, to 41°.5 when Tianhe was launched from Wenchang. This will be the standard inclination for many years to come.
The variations are probably driven by events on the ground. They might result from something as simple as new construction in the area of the launch pad or the Space Centre, requiring the launcher to depart on a slightly different azimuth in order to avoid direct overflight. If the explanation is more technical then it may never be known.
The change that occurred in 2021 for the space station was probably due to the layout of the Wenchang Space Centre or the island countries downrange. The extra 1° of inclination to match the old values is probably not achievable with the CZ 5 without overflying something significant within the first minutes of ascent.
List of Missions
This list is extracted from the OrbitalFocus database of launches and orbits, and duplicates entries in the annual launch tables.
1999-061 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 1999 Nov 19, 22:30 | |
Re-entered - 1999 Nov 20 Life 1 day
Returned to Earth |
Test mission to verify the whole Shenzhou launch, support, tracking and recovery concept, particularly the launch vehicle. Precise launch time: 23:30:07 a.m. Retrofire was Nov 20 at 19:00 UTC and Shenzhou landed in Inner Mongolia at 19:41 UTC. It also carried science equipment and 100 kg of seeds to investigate the effects of the orbital environment. Equipped with two, small, fixed panels of solar cells on each of the service module and orbital module. The orbital module carried a range of engineering and science instrument and remained attached to Shenzhou during retro-fire but was then released and underwent a destructive re-entry. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
1999 Nov 20, 14:36 | 6646 | 0.0095 | 205 | 332 | 89.87 | 42.60 | 134 | | | |
2001-001 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2001 Jan 9, 17:00 | |
Re-entered - 2001 Jan 16 Life 7 days
Returned to Earth |
Engineering test of Shenzhou spacecraft, also carried scientific equipment. Carried animal specimens including six mice, and small aquatic and terrestrial organisms. There were fifteen scientific experiments in the cabin, 12 in the orbital module and 37 externally, including a microgravity crystallography experiment, cosmic ray and particle detectors and a gamma ray burst detectors. To test the voice communication system, pre-recorded audio messages were played back. Retrofire was Jan 16 at 1015 UTC. The Descent Module landed in Inner Mongolia at 11:22 UTC but may have been seriously damaged after an unintentionally hard landing. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2001 Jan 09, 22:37 | 6645 | 0.0104 | 197 | 336 | 89.84 | 42.58 | 130 | | | 2001 Jan 10, 19:58 | 6709 | 0.0004 | 329 | 334 | 91.16 | 42.58 | 209 | | | 2001 Jan 12, 22:00 | 6714 | 0.0007 | 331 | 340 | 91.24 | 42.58 | 279 | | | | Shenzhou 2 Orbital Module 2001-001C 26687 |
Re-entered - 2001 Aug 24 Life 227 days
|
Released from Shenzhou 2 2001 Jan 16. Manoeuvred to higher orbit and then orbital decay brought about a natural re-entry. Equipped with extending solar panel array. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2001 Jan 16, 14:34 | 6716 | 0.0012 | 330 | 346 | 91.29 | 42.58 | 316 | | | 2001 Jan 17, 20:36 | 6774 | 0.0010 | 389 | 403 | 92.48 | 42.59 | 117 | | | 2001 Aug 24, 06:24 | 6525 | 0.0007 | 142 | 151 | 87.42 | 42.57 | 304 | | | |
2002-014 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2002 Mar 25, 14:15 | |
Re-entered - 2002 Apr 1 Life 7 days
Returned to Earth |
Engineering test of Shenzhou spacecraft, also carried scientific equipment. First Shenzhou vehicle to be equipped with a full life support system. Carried 44 experimentsand a video imager that broadcast from one of the portholes. As a communications test, a pre-recorded female voice was transmitted. Landed Inner Mongolia Apr 1 at 08:51 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2002 Mar 26, 01:55 | 6713 | 0.0004 | 332 | 338 | 91.23 | 42.40 | 272 | | | | Shenzhou 3 Orbital Module 2002-014C 27408 |
Re-entered - 2002 Nov 12 Life 232 days
|
Released from Shenzhou 3 2002 Apr 1. Equipped with experiments and sensor payload. Orbit maintained by multiple thruster firings before natural decay brought about re-entry 2002 Nov 12, approx 06:38 UTC over the Indian Ocean off western Australia. Equipped with extending solar panel array. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2002 Apr 01, 10:29 | 6713 | 0.0007 | 330 | 339 | 91.22 | 42.41 | 322 | | | 2002 Apr 01, 20:50 | 6734 | 0.0003 | 353 | 357 | 91.65 | 42.40 | 262 | | | 2002 Apr 24, 21:15 | 6706 | 0.0005 | 324 | 331 | 91.08 | 42.40 | 45 | | | 2002 Apr 25, 05:59 | 6763 | 0.0004 | 382 | 388 | 92.26 | 42.41 | 51 | | | 2002 Jun 10, 12:53 | 6742 | 0.0010 | 357 | 371 | 91.82 | 42.41 | 8 | | | 2002 Jun 13, 16:10 | 6741 | 0.0010 | 356 | 369 | 91.79 | 42.41 | 32 | | | 2002 Jun 14, 08:41 | 6758 | 0.0007 | 376 | 385 | 92.16 | 42.41 | 284 | | | 2002 Nov 11, 23:54 | 6545 | 0.0004 | 164 | 169 | 87.83 | 42.40 | 269 | | | |
2002-061 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2002 Dec 29, 16:40 | |
Re-entered - 2003 Jan 5 Life 7 days
Returned to Earth |
Engineering an flight qualification test of piloted spacecraft. Landed Inner Mongolia Jan 5 at 11:16 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2002 Dec 29, 23:47 | 6643 | 0.0100 | 198 | 332 | 89.80 | 42.41 | 131 | | | 2002 Dec 31, 00:27 | 6712 | 0.0004 | 331 | 337 | 91.21 | 42.41 | 170 | | | | Shenzhou 4 Orbital Module 2002-061C 27634 |
Re-entered - 2003 Sep 9 Life 254 days
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Released from Shenzhou 4 2003 Jan 5. Equipped with experiments and sensor payload. Orbit maintained by multiple thruster firings before natural decay brought about re-entry. Equipped with extending solar panel array. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2003 Feb 09, 15:20 | 6717 | 0.0011 | 331 | 346 | 91.31 | 42.42 | 74 | | | 2003 Feb 10, 04:48 | 6740 | 0.0005 | 359 | 366 | 91.79 | 42.42 | 288 | | | 2003 Mar 01, 22:00 | 6730 | 0.0001 | 351 | 352 | 91.57 | 42.42 | 265 | | | 2003 Mar 02, 11:19 | 6744 | 0.0011 | 359 | 373 | 91.86 | 42.41 | 300 | | | 2003 Apr 21, 22:14 | 6732 | 0.0014 | 344 | 363 | 91.61 | 42.42 | 147 | | | 2003 Apr 22, 22:58 | 6742 | 0.0027 | 346 | 383 | 91.83 | 42.41 | 190 | | | 2003 Sep 09, 03:59 | 6517 | 0.0016 | 128 | 149 | 87.26 | 42.40 | 301 | | | |
2003-045 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2003 Oct 15, 01:00 | |
Re-entered - 2003 Oct 16 Life 1 day
Returned to Earth |
First piloted mission by Shenzhou spacecraft. Carried a single crew member, Yang Liwei. One onboard experiment involved exposing crop seeds from Taiwan to the orbital environment. Landed in Inner Mongolia Oct 15 at 22:23. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2003 Oct 15, 08:07 | 6713 | 0.0001 | 334 | 336 | 91.24 | 42.42 | 251 | | | | Shenzhou 5 Orbital Module 2003-045G 28049 |
Re-entered - 2004 May 30 Life 228 days
|
Released from Shenzhou 5 2003 Oct 15. Equipped with experiments and sensor payload. Orbit maintained by multiple thruster firings before natural decay brought about re-entry. Equipped with extending solar panel array. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2003 Oct 16, 00:50 | 6713 | 0.0002 | 333 | 336 | 91.22 | 42.43 | 250 | | | 2003 Oct 21, 16:27 | 6709 | 0.0002 | 330 | 332 | 91.14 | 42.43 | 270 | | | 2003 Oct 22, 01:22 | 6721 | 0.0005 | 340 | 346 | 91.40 | 42.43 | 260 | | | 2003 Nov 02, 22:56 | 6709 | 0.0003 | 329 | 333 | 91.15 | 42.43 | 345 | | | 2003 Nov 04, 22:17 | 6726 | 0.0007 | 343 | 352 | 91.49 | 42.43 | 272 | | | 2003 Nov 11, 18:44 | 6722 | 0.0007 | 339 | 348 | 91.41 | 42.43 | 303 | | | 2003 Nov 13, 14:52 | 6739 | 0.0007 | 357 | 366 | 91.77 | 42.43 | 262 | | | 2003 Dec 24, 11:27 | 6721 | 0.0008 | 338 | 348 | 91.40 | 42.43 | 193 | | | 2003 Dec 25, 00:45 | 6729 | 0.0010 | 344 | 357 | 91.55 | 42.43 | 128 | | | 2003 Dec 31, 06:24 | 6726 | 0.0012 | 340 | 356 | 91.50 | 42.43 | 177 | | | 2003 Dec 31, 11:06 | 6742 | 0.0034 | 341 | 387 | 91.83 | 42.42 | 157 | | | 2004 May 30, 01:16 | 6519 | 0.0010 | 134 | 148 | 87.31 | 42.41 | 276 | | | |
2005-040 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2005 Oct 12, 01:00 | |
Re-entered - 2005 Oct 16 Life 4 days
Returned to Earth |
Piloted mision carrying crew of two - Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng. For the first time, a Shenzhou crew entered the Orbital Module. Retrofire Oct 16 at 19:45 UTC led to a landing in Inner Mongolia at 20:33 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2005 Oct 12, 08:07 | 6712 | 0.0006 | 330 | 338 | 91.21 | 42.41 | 186 | | | | Shenzhou 6 Orbital Module 2005-040E 28883 |
Re-entered - 2008 Apr 1 Life 902 days
|
Released from Shenzhou 5 2005 Oct 16 at 19:44 UTC. Equipped with experiments and sensor payload. Orbit maintained by multiple thruster firings before natural decay brought about re-entry. Equipped with extending solar panel array, the final Shenzhou OM to be used as an independent satellite. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2005 Oct 17, 02:20 | 6714 | 0.0004 | 333 | 339 | 91.25 | 42.43 | 226 | | | 2005 Oct 19, 13:54 | 6715 | 0.0005 | 334 | 341 | 91.28 | 42.42 | 237 | | | 2005 Oct 20, 03:03 | 6725 | 0.0005 | 344 | 351 | 91.48 | 42.42 | 215 | | | 2005 Dec 12, 13:45 | 6714 | 0.0004 | 333 | 339 | 91.26 | 42.42 | 196 | | | 2005 Dec 13, 05:58 | 6730 | 0.0008 | 346 | 357 | 91.57 | 42.42 | 278 | | | 2006 Jan 20, 22:07 | 6723 | 0.0004 | 342 | 348 | 91.44 | 42.42 | 203 | | | 2006 Jan 21, 09:52 | 6729 | 0.0008 | 345 | 356 | 91.55 | 42.42 | 277 | | | 2006 Mar 18, 15:01 | 6720 | 0.0006 | 338 | 346 | 91.37 | 42.42 | 333 | | | 2006 Mar 19, 05:56 | 6730 | 0.0006 | 347 | 356 | 91.57 | 42.43 | 270 | | | 2006 May 28, 04:58 | 6716 | 0.0001 | 337 | 339 | 91.29 | 42.42 | 21 | | | 2006 May 28, 12:41 | 6730 | 0.0007 | 347 | 356 | 91.57 | 42.43 | 266 | | | 2006 Sep 05, 10:02 | 6717 | 0.0008 | 334 | 345 | 91.32 | 42.42 | 243 | | | 2006 Sep 05, 20:27 | 6729 | 0.0007 | 346 | 356 | 91.56 | 42.42 | 264 | | | 2007 Jan 11, 18:15 | 6705 | 0.0007 | 322 | 332 | 91.07 | 42.42 | 50 | | | 2007 Jan 12, 04:40 | 6711 | 0.0009 | 327 | 339 | 91.19 | 42.42 | 350 | | | 2007 Jan 27, 07:30 | 6708 | 0.0007 | 325 | 335 | 91.12 | 42.42 | 115 | | | 2007 Jan 27, 20:57 | 6712 | 0.0002 | 332 | 335 | 91.20 | 42.42 | 128 | | | 2007 Jun 06, 01:58 | 6712 | 0.0008 | 328 | 339 | 91.21 | 42.42 | 8 | | | 2007 Jun 06, 11:31 | 6720 | 0.0007 | 337 | 347 | 91.37 | 42.42 | 273 | | | 2008 Apr 01, 13:07 | 6512 | 0.0004 | 131 | 136 | 87.15 | 42.39 | 11 | | | |
2008-047 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2008 Sep 25, 13:10 | |
Re-entered - 2008 Sep 28 Life 3 days
Returned to Earth |
Piloted mission carrying Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng. Sep 27 at 08:34 UTC Zhai Zhigang wearing a Chinese-made Feitian EVA suit and Liu Boming wearing a Russian Sea Hawk EVA suit undertook a 26 minutes (approximately) spacewalk, Zhai spent 19m 35s outside the spacecraft. Used the Tianlian 1-01 communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit. Landed In Inner Mongolia Sep 28 at 09:37 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2008 Sep 25, 14:18 | 6644 | 0.0098 | 200 | 331 | 89.82 | 42.41 | 125 | | | 2008 Sep 25, 20:17 | 6712 | 0.0005 | 330 | 337 | 91.20 | 42.40 | 274 | | | | BanXing 1 (Companion Satellite 1) 2008-047G 33392 |
Re-entered - 2009 Oct 30 Life 400 days
|
Released from Shenzhou 7 Sep 27 at 11:24 UTC. 40 kg manoeuvrable satellite, built by Shanghai Micro-satellite Engineering Center, to test rendezvous procedures with Shenzhou 7 - manoeuvred seven times during the test. Also transmitted images of the main spacecraft in orbit. Still operating at end of life when re-entered naturally 2009 October 30 around 03:30 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2008 Sep 27, 19:34 | 6712 | 0.0007 | 329 | 339 | 91.22 | 42.40 | 283 | | | |
2011-053 CZ 2F/G Jiuquan Space Centre | 2011 Sep 29, 13:16 | |
Re-entered - 2018 Apr 2 Life 2377 days
|
Small laboratory, 8.5 tonnes mass (9 tonnes including propellant), for docking experiments during visits by the unpiloted Shenzhou 8 (2011 Oct 31 - Nov 17), Shenzhou 9 (2012 Jun 16-29) and Shenzhou 10, both piloted. Precise lift-off time 13:16:03 UTC at the opening of a fifteen minute launch window. Originally anticipated life was two years. Early 2016, mission control announced that it had lost communication with Tiangong 1 and that its orbit would decay naturally, leading to uncontrolled re-entry. Launch delayed several times from 2010 by design/construction issues and investigation of the 2011 Aug 18 CZ-2C launch vehicle failure. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2011 Sep 29, 20:39 | 6650 | 0.0110 | 199 | 345 | 89.95 | 42.78 | 132 | | | 2011 Sep 30, 19:11 | 6723 | 0.0014 | 335 | 355 | 91.44 | 42.78 | 40 | | | 2011 Oct 05, 19:38 | 6720 | 0.0010 | 335 | 349 | 91.37 | 42.78 | 81 | | | 2011 Oct 28, 05:35 | 6713 | 0.0007 | 330 | 339 | 91.22 | 42.79 | 253 | | | 2011 Nov 15, 11:45 | 6710 | 0.0005 | 328 | 335 | 91.16 | 42.79 | 359 | | | 2011 Nov 18, 14:18 | 6751 | 0.0008 | 368 | 379 | 92.01 | 42.79 | 212 | | | 2012 Mar 23, 03:23 | 6724 | 0.0012 | 338 | 354 | 91.46 | 42.78 | 342 | | | 2012 Mar 23, 17:39 | 6737 | 0.0008 | 353 | 364 | 91.71 | 42.78 | 344 | | | 2012 May 26, 13:23 | 6721 | 0.0009 | 337 | 349 | 91.39 | 42.78 | 78 | | | 2012 Jun 10, 18:50 | 6711 | 0.0004 | 330 | 336 | 91.19 | 42.78 | 242 | | | 2012 Jun 11, 18:01 | 6707 | 0.0011 | 321 | 336 | 91.10 | 42.78 | 235 | | | 2012 Jun 14, 01:42 | 6706 | 0.0012 | 320 | 335 | 91.08 | 42.78 | 249 | | | 2012 Jun 14, 18:36 | 6711 | 0.0007 | 328 | 338 | 91.20 | 42.80 | 181 | | | 2012 Jun 28, 04:57 | 6709 | 0.0006 | 327 | 336 | 91.16 | 42.78 | 333 | | | 2012 Jun 28, 12:15 | 6710 | 0.0002 | 330 | 333 | 91.16 | 42.79 | 269 | | | 2012 Jun 28, 13:42 | 6723 | 0.0016 | 334 | 355 | 91.43 | 42.78 | 102 | | | 2012 Jun 29, 07:55 | 6739 | 0.0008 | 355 | 366 | 91.76 | 42.78 | 315 | | | 2012 Jul 05, 16:54 | 6738 | 0.0008 | 354 | 365 | 91.74 | 42.78 | 315 | | | 2012 Aug 30, 10:23 | 6728 | 0.0008 | 344 | 356 | 91.54 | 42.78 | 357 | | | 2012 Sep 16, 04:26 | 6735 | 0.0008 | 351 | 363 | 91.68 | 42.78 | 336 | | | 2012 Oct 15, 09:22 | 6727 | 0.0005 | 346 | 353 | 91.52 | 42.78 | 197 | | | 2012 Oct 15, 17:25 | 6737 | 0.0021 | 345 | 373 | 91.73 | 42.78 | 207 | | | 2012 Oct 16, 11:33 | 6749 | 0.0005 | 367 | 374 | 91.95 | 42.78 | 233 | | | 2013 Feb 04, 04:13 | 6726 | 0.0002 | 347 | 349 | 91.50 | 42.78 | 70 | | | 2013 Feb 04, 13:35 | 6737 | 0.0016 | 348 | 370 | 91.73 | 42.78 | 227 | | | 2013 Feb 05, 05:59 | 6744 | 0.0006 | 362 | 369 | 91.86 | 42.77 | 226 | | | 2013 May 21, 02:57 | 6719 | 0.0004 | 339 | 344 | 91.36 | 42.78 | 157 | | | 2013 May 22, 00:26 | 6715 | 0.0005 | 333 | 341 | 91.27 | 42.78 | 231 | | | 2013 Jun 05, 06:17 | 6710 | 0.0005 | 329 | 336 | 91.18 | 42.78 | 299 | | | 2013 Jun 06, 05:00 | 6709 | 0.0005 | 327 | 334 | 91.15 | 42.78 | 315 | | | 2013 Jun 09, 04:20 | 6707 | 0.0007 | 325 | 334 | 91.12 | 42.78 | 300 | | | 2013 Jun 10, 03:04 | 6713 | 0.0007 | 330 | 340 | 91.23 | 42.78 | 277 | | | 2013 Jun 25, 03:46 | 6709 | 0.0005 | 327 | 334 | 91.15 | 42.78 | 333 | | | 2013 Jun 25, 11:47 | 6722 | 0.0013 | 335 | 353 | 91.42 | 42.77 | 93 | | | 2013 Jun 26, 09:00 | 6739 | 0.0007 | 356 | 366 | 91.76 | 42.77 | 278 | | | 2013 Sep 11, 08:08 | 6724 | 0.0006 | 342 | 350 | 91.46 | 42.78 | 139 | | | 2013 Sep 11, 20:11 | 6739 | 0.0009 | 354 | 367 | 91.75 | 42.77 | 319 | | | 2014 Feb 18, 05:18 | 6717 | 0.0012 | 331 | 347 | 91.31 | 42.78 | 230 | | | 2014 Feb 18, 18:55 | 6736 | 0.0041 | 331 | 386 | 91.71 | 42.77 | 242 | | | 2014 Feb 19, 17:42 | 6759 | 0.0010 | 374 | 387 | 92.16 | 42.78 | 278 | | | 2014 Jul 16, 07:36 | 6722 | 0.0014 | 334 | 353 | 91.40 | 42.77 | 209 | | | 2014 Jul 16, 22:41 | 6734 | 0.0030 | 336 | 377 | 91.67 | 42.77 | 245 | | | 2014 Nov 25, 12:38 | 6721 | 0.0009 | 337 | 349 | 91.40 | 42.77 | 19 | | | 2014 Nov 26, 03:43 | 6746 | 0.0026 | 350 | 386 | 91.90 | 42.78 | 234 | | | 2014 Nov 26, 06:55 | 6759 | 0.0017 | 369 | 392 | 92.16 | 42.77 | 187 | | | 2015 Apr 09, 02:16 | 6720 | 0.0010 | 335 | 348 | 91.36 | 42.77 | 342 | | | 2015 Apr 09, 14:43 | 6741 | 0.0042 | 335 | 391 | 91.80 | 42.77 | 26 | | | 2015 Apr 10, 23:07 | 6771 | 0.0012 | 385 | 401 | 92.42 | 42.77 | 282 | | | |
2011-063 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2011 Oct 31, 21:58 | |
Re-entered - 2011 Nov 17 Life 17 days
Returned to Earth |
Test mission using piloted spacecraft in automatic mode to undertake docking operations with Tiangong 1 (2011-053A/37820). First serial production model of Shenzhou. Docked Nov 2 at 17:28 UTC and the two vehicles were locked together eight minutes later. Undocked Nov 14 at 11:27 UTC, backed off to 140m distance, and re-docked shortly after at 11:53 UTC as a test of spacecraft sensors at a low Sun angle. Undocked for landing Nov 16 at 10:44 UTC. Landed Nov 17 at 11:32:14 UTC in inner Mongolia near 42°.2 north, 111°.3 east. The mission was flown as a biosatellite with a payload of plants and animals. - part of the payload was DLR of Germany's SIMBOX (Science in Microgravity Box). |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2011 Nov 01, 14:38 | 6666 | 0.0040 | 262 | 315 | 90.28 | 42.79 | 138 | | | 2011 Nov 02, 13:23 | 6699 | 0.0009 | 315 | 327 | 90.94 | 42.78 | 269 | | | 2011 Nov 03, 12:04 | 6711 | 0.0008 | 328 | 338 | 91.19 | 42.79 | 285 | | | 2011 Nov 15, 06:21 | 6710 | 0.0005 | 328 | 335 | 91.16 | 42.79 | 354 | | | 2011 Nov 17, 06:55 | 6713 | 0.0002 | 333 | 336 | 91.22 | 42.79 | 78 | | | estimated orbit | 6636 | 0.0084 | 202 | 313 | 89.66 | 42.78 | 134 | | | |
2012-032 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2012 Jun 16, 10:37 | |
Re-entered - 2012 Jun 29 Life 13 days
Returned to Earth |
Carried crew of Jing Haipeng (Commander), Liu Wang (Flight Engineer) and Liu Yang (Mission Engineer), to Tiangong 1. Second Mission for Jing Haipeng after Shenzhou 7, Liu Yang is female. First stage ignition 10:37:21 UTC with launch/lift-off 3s later. Spacecraft separation was at 10:46:55 UTC, about 11s earlier than planned. Shenzhou 9 docked with Tiangong 1 Jun 18 at 06:07 UTC. On Jun 24 at 03:10 UTC, it undocked and moved 140m in front of Tiangong from where it re-docked under manual control (Liu Wang) at 04:48 UTC. Undocked Jun 28 at 01:22 UTC - after falling behind by 5 km, it was brought back automatically to 140m distance from where it then departed. Retrofire Jun 29 at 01:17 UTC led to a landing in Inner Mongolia near 42° north, 111° east at 02:02:50 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2012 Jun 16, 16:38 | 6636 | 0.0084 | 202 | 313 | 89.66 | 42.71 | 134 | | | 2012 Jun 16, 21:12 | 6667 | 0.0040 | 262 | 316 | 90.29 | 42.78 | 136 | | | 2012 Jun 17, 16:44 | 6700 | 0.0008 | 316 | 327 | 90.95 | 42.78 | 262 | | | 2012 Jun 18, 13:52 | 6712 | 0.0008 | 328 | 339 | 91.20 | 42.78 | 279 | | | 2012 Jun 28, 13:17 | 6714 | 0.0002 | 335 | 338 | 91.26 | 42.78 | 125 | | | |
2013-029 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2013 Jun 11, 09:38 | Shenzhou 10 2013-029A 39179 |
Re-entered - 2013 Jun 26 Life 15 days
Returned to Earth |
Carried crew of Nie Haisheng (Commander), Zhang Xiaoguang (Flight Engineer) and Wang Yaping (Mission Engineer) to Tiangong 1. Automatic approach to Tiangong 1 initiated June 13 02:48 UTC. Docked at 05:11 UTC with latches secured at 05:18 UTC. Undocked June 23 at 00:26 UTC, carrying its crew, and moved away from Tiangong 1. At 01:52 UTC, Nie Haisheng initiated a manually controlled approach, docking with Tiangong at 02:00, latches were fully secured at 02:07 UTC. Undocked Jun 25 at 23:05 UTC and flew in formation with Tiangong to test varying approach scenarios, re-docked briefly (probably without retracting the docking ring) then departed for a landing. Retro-fire Jun 25 about 23:18 UTC led to landing in Mongolia June 26 at 00:07 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2013 Jun 11, 15:39 | 6635 | 0.0089 | 198 | 316 | 89.65 | 42.78 | 132 | | | 2013 Jun 11, 17:03 | 6666 | 0.0040 | 261 | 314 | 90.26 | 42.78 | 138 | | | 2013 Jun 11, 21:45 | 6667 | 0.0040 | 262 | 316 | 90.29 | 42.78 | 136 | | | 2013 Jun 12, 18:45 | 6699 | 0.0009 | 315 | 327 | 90.95 | 42.78 | 290 | | | 2013 Jun 13, 12:51 | 6712 | 0.0008 | 329 | 339 | 91.21 | 42.78 | 295 | | | 2013 Jun 25, 03:51 | 6709 | 0.0005 | 327 | 334 | 91.14 | 42.79 | 337 | | | 2013 Jun 25, 13:07 | 6713 | 0.0004 | 333 | 337 | 91.23 | 42.78 | 134 | | | |
2016-057 CZ 2F/G Jiuquan Space Centre | 2016 Sep 15, 14:04 | |
Re-entered - 2019 Jul 19 Life 1037 days
|
Small laboratory, 8.5 tonnes mass (9.5 tonnes including fuel), for docking experiments during visits by the Shenzhou 11 crew carrying mission (2016 Oct 18 - Nov 17), and Tianzhou-1 (2017-021A/42684) supply vehicle (2017 April - September). Destructive re-entry followed retro-fire with any surviving fragments impacting in the southern Pacific Ocean. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2016 Sep 15, 18:11 | 6644 | 0.0103 | 197 | 334 | 89.82 | 42.79 | 130 | | | 2016 Sep 19, 19:20 | 6628 | 0.0086 | 193 | 307 | 89.50 | 42.79 | 161 | | | 2016 Sep 20, 01:07 | 6752 | 0.0006 | 370 | 378 | 92.03 | 42.78 | 64 | | | 2016 Sep 24, 23:24 | 6759 | 0.0010 | 374 | 387 | 92.16 | 42.79 | 177 | | | 2016 Sep 25, 15:49 | 6764 | 0.0005 | 382 | 389 | 92.27 | 42.78 | 120 | | | 2017 Mar 04, 23:51 | 6750 | 0.0008 | 367 | 378 | 91.99 | 42.78 | 234 | | | 2017 Mar 05, 13:24 | 6758 | 0.0009 | 374 | 386 | 92.15 | 42.78 | 251 | | | 2017 Apr 04, 20:23 | 6756 | 0.0006 | 374 | 382 | 92.12 | 42.78 | 107 | | | 2017 Apr 15, 22:10 | 6763 | 0.0007 | 381 | 390 | 92.26 | 42.79 | 255 | | | 2017 Oct 14, 11:59 | 6768 | 0.0003 | 388 | 392 | 92.36 | 42.78 | 332 | | | 2017 Nov 03, 17:46 | 6767 | 0.0002 | 388 | 391 | 92.34 | 42.78 | 163 | | | 2017 Nov 04, 06:20 | 6768 | 0.0002 | 388 | 391 | 92.35 | 42.78 | 156 | | | 2018 Jun 12, 21:39 | 6761 | 0.0005 | 380 | 386 | 92.22 | 42.79 | 244 | | | 2018 Jun 14, 12:32 | 6674 | 0.0004 | 293 | 299 | 90.43 | 42.78 | 261 | | | 2018 Jun 21, 20:46 | 6672 | 0.0004 | 291 | 297 | 90.40 | 42.79 | 316 | | | 2018 Jun 23, 17:06 | 6769 | 0.0008 | 385 | 396 | 92.37 | 42.78 | 303 | | | 2019 Jul 18, 08:09 | 6760 | 0.0006 | 378 | 386 | 92.19 | 42.78 | 122 | | | 2019 Jul 18, 20:06 | 6659 | 0.0144 | 185 | 377 | 90.13 | 42.78 | 269 | | | 2019 Jul 19, 06:45 | 6659 | 0.0143 | 185 | 376 | 90.12 | 42.78 | 273 | | | | |
Re-entered - 2019 Jul 15 Life 1033 days
|
Micro-satellite built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, carrying cameras and equipped with a cold gas thruster system. Ejected by a spring mechanism from Tiangong 2 2016 Oct 22 at 22:31 UTC and used to photograph the station while docked with Shenzhou 11 (2016-061A/41812). It made several minor orbit adjustments while in the vicinity of Tiangong 2 to allow it to move away and return. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2016 Oct 24, 08:48 | 6758 | 0.0007 | 375 | 384 | 92.14 | 42.79 | 350 | | | 2019 Jul 08, 20:54 | 6589 | 0.0016 | 200 | 221 | 88.71 | 42.77 | 273 | | | 2019 Jul 15, 20:29 | 6499 | 0.0012 | 113 | 129 | 86.90 | 42.74 | 179 | | | |
2016-061 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2016 Oct 16, 23:30 | Shenzhou 11 2016-061A 41812 |
Re-entered - 2016 Nov 18 Life 33 days
Returned to Earth |
Carried Jing Haipeng (commander) and Chen Dong (engineer) to Tiangong 2. Docked Oct 18 at 19:24 UTC and the crew entered Tiangong at 22:32 UTC. Undocked 2016 Nov 17 at 04:41 UTC, after 29.4 days. Landed in the Siziwang Banner area of Inner Mongolia Nov 18 at 05:59 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2016 Oct 17, 11:58 | 6657 | 0.0123 | 197 | 361 | 90.09 | 42.79 | 132 | | | 2016 Oct 17, 14:58 | 6729 | 0.0023 | 335 | 366 | 91.55 | 42.78 | 141 | | | 2016 Oct 18, 12:14 | 6749 | 0.0008 | 366 | 376 | 91.97 | 42.79 | 268 | | | 2016 Oct 18, 16:50 | 6762 | 0.0008 | 379 | 389 | 92.23 | 42.79 | 278 | | | 2016 Nov 15, 17:56 | 6756 | 0.0009 | 372 | 384 | 92.11 | 42.78 | 185 | | | 2016 Nov 17, 17:26 | 6759 | 0.0025 | 363 | 398 | 92.16 | 42.80 | 356 | | | |
2017-021 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2017 Apr 20, 11:41 | |
Re-entered - 2017 Sep 22 Life 155 days
|
Spacecraft to test propellant transfer to China's future large space station. Docked with Tiangong 2 (2016-057A/41765) 2017 Apr 22 at 04:16 UTC with latches engaged at 04:23 UTC. Completed a propellant transfer Apr 27 at 11:07 UTC and completed a second one Jun 15 at 10:28 UTC. Each operation took five days. Undocked 2017 Jun 19 and conducted a fly-around of Tiangong 2. Docked a second time with Tiangong 2 on Jun 19 at about 06:48 UTC with latches angaged at 06:55 UTC. Undocked Jun 21 at 09:47 UTC. Docked with Tiangong 2 for a third time 2017 Sep 12 at about 15:50 UTC after an approach to simulate a short duration launch-docking mission, similar to Soyuz. Latches were engaged at 15:58 UTC. Completed a three-day propellant transfer test Sep 16 at 12:17 UTC. Undocked Sep 17 at 08:15 UTC. Retro-fire Sep 22 at around 12:00 UTC led to destructive re-entry about 45 mins later with any surviving fragments hitting the southern Pacific Ocean. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2017 Apr 20, 20:42 | 6718 | 0.0044 | 311 | 369 | 91.33 | 42.79 | 181 | | | 2017 Apr 21, 17:54 | 6751 | 0.0008 | 367 | 378 | 92.00 | 42.78 | 276 | | | 2017 Apr 22, 16:53 | 6763 | 0.0007 | 380 | 390 | 92.25 | 42.79 | 289 | | | 2017 Jun 14, 14:33 | 6762 | 0.0011 | 377 | 391 | 92.23 | 42.78 | 314 | | | 2017 Jun 19, 13:02 | 6764 | 0.0010 | 379 | 393 | 92.28 | 42.78 | 2 | | | 2017 Jun 21, 13:57 | 6773 | 0.0003 | 393 | 397 | 92.45 | 42.78 | 274 | | | 2017 Sep 11, 06:28 | 6771 | 0.0000 | 393 | 393 | 92.41 | 42.78 | 104 | | | 2017 Sep 12, 06:50 | 6695 | 0.0186 | 193 | 441 | 90.86 | 42.25 | 230 | | | 2017 Sep 13, 07:26 | 6769 | 0.0002 | 390 | 393 | 92.38 | 42.78 | 167 | | | | Silu 1 (Silk Road 1) 2017-021F 42903 |
Re-entered - 2019 Apr 11 Life 721 days
|
3U Cubesat carrying development versions of sensors to be used in a future Earth observation constellation. Released from Tianzhou 1 2017 Aug 1, possibly as a test of a cubesat deployment mechanism for use on a space station. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2017 Aug 02, 21:35 | 6769 | 0.0007 | 387 | 395 | 92.37 | 42.79 | 226 | | | |
2021-035 CZ 5B Wenchang Space Centre | 2021 Apr 29, 03:23 | |
in space
|
Core module of Chinese space station, designed for expansion using additional modules. It is capable of receiving Shenzhou and Tianzhou spacecraft to deliver crews and supplies. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2021 Apr 29, 09:11 | 6655 | 0.0159 | 171 | 382 | 90.04 | 41.47 | 170 | | | 2021 Apr 29, 12:21 | 6712 | 0.0075 | 284 | 384 | 91.22 | 41.48 | 172 | | | 2021 Apr 29, 13:54 | 6717 | 0.0079 | 286 | 392 | 91.31 | 41.47 | 167 | | | 2021 Apr 29, 18:32 | 6747 | 0.0024 | 353 | 385 | 91.92 | 41.47 | 181 | | | 2021 May 13, 07:42 | 6750 | 0.0019 | 360 | 385 | 91.99 | 41.47 | 278 | | | 2021 May 23, 23:41 | 6731 | 0.0015 | 343 | 364 | 91.60 | 41.47 | 231 | | | 2021 May 27, 17:39 | 6735 | 0.0021 | 343 | 371 | 91.68 | 41.45 | 249 | | | 2021 May 29, 14:11 | 6751 | 0.0006 | 369 | 376 | 92.00 | 41.47 | 2 | | | 2021 Jun 04, 06:49 | 6751 | 0.0005 | 370 | 376 | 92.00 | 41.47 | 45 | | | 2021 Jun 04, 14:01 | 6759 | 0.0008 | 376 | 386 | 92.17 | 41.47 | 220 | | | 2021 Jun 29, 12:36 | 6758 | 0.0007 | 375 | 385 | 92.15 | 41.47 | 21 | | | 2021 Jun 30, 02:05 | 6758 | 0.0007 | 375 | 384 | 92.15 | 41.47 | 35 | | | 2021 Jul 01, 12:13 | 6758 | 0.0007 | 375 | 384 | 92.14 | 41.47 | 59 | | | 2021 Jul 02, 01:53 | 6759 | 0.0007 | 376 | 385 | 92.16 | 41.47 | 49 | | | 2021 Jul 04, 05:54 | 6759 | 0.0007 | 376 | 385 | 92.16 | 41.47 | 62 | | | 2021 Sep 01, 07:18 | 6756 | 0.0007 | 374 | 383 | 92.12 | 41.47 | 165 | | | 2021 Sep 01, 20:42 | 6761 | 0.0001 | 382 | 384 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 256 | | | 2021 Sep 17, 05:35 | 6760 | 0.0002 | 380 | 384 | 92.20 | 41.47 | 282 | | | 2021 Sep 18, 04:39 | 6761 | 0.0004 | 381 | 386 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 268 | | | 2021 Oct 21, 02:58 | 6761 | 0.0002 | 382 | 385 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 266 | | | 2021 Oct 21, 13:55 | 6764 | 0.0006 | 382 | 390 | 92.27 | 41.46 | 231 | | | 2021 Oct 22, 04:24 | 6764 | 0.0007 | 381 | 391 | 92.27 | 41.47 | 234 | | | 2022 Apr 20, 14:57 | 6754 | 0.0006 | 372 | 380 | 92.07 | 41.47 | 29 | | | 2022 Apr 21, 16:47 | 6766 | 0.0012 | 380 | 395 | 92.30 | 41.47 | 189 | | | 2022 May 12, 07:17 | 6762 | 0.0012 | 376 | 392 | 92.24 | 41.47 | 316 | | | 2022 May 13, 01:27 | 6767 | 0.0004 | 386 | 392 | 92.34 | 41.47 | 325 | | | 2022 May 31, 04:43 | 6765 | 0.0001 | 386 | 387 | 92.28 | 41.47 | 141 | | | 2022 May 31, 13:31 | 6766 | 0.0004 | 386 | 390 | 92.32 | 41.47 | 189 | | | 2022 Jul 19, 05:43 | 6758 | 0.0004 | 378 | 383 | 92.16 | 41.47 | 297 | | | 2022 Jul 19, 20:15 | 6762 | 0.0007 | 379 | 389 | 92.23 | 41.47 | 247 | | | 2022 Sep 27, 09:49 | 6758 | 0.0004 | 377 | 383 | 92.15 | 41.47 | 33 | | | 2022 Sep 28, 04:10 | 6762 | 0.0003 | 382 | 386 | 92.23 | 41.47 | 279 | | | 2022 Nov 04, 12:20 | 6761 | 0.0005 | 380 | 386 | 92.21 | 41.47 | 291 | | | 2022 Nov 04, 15:18 | 6767 | 0.0009 | 382 | 395 | 92.33 | 41.48 | 224 | | | | unidentified object uncatalogued |
in space
|
Noted in orbit by amateur visual observer 2024 May 30, about 250 km ahead of CSS. Possibly discarded item from EVA on May 28. |
Orbit parameters awaited | |
2021-046 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2021 May 29, 12:55 | |
Re-entered - 2022 Mar 31 Life 306 days
|
Supplies and equipment to Chinese Space Station (CSS) in advance of the Shenzhou 12 crew mission. Docked with the rear port of Tianhe May 29, 21:01 UTC. Undocked 2021 Sep 18 at 02:25 UTC and re-docked with the forward-facing port of Tianhe about four hours later, clearing the rear port for the upcoming Tianzhou 3. 2022 Jan 5 at 22:12 UTC, Tianzhou 2 was undocked using Tianhe's robotic arm. After rotating 20° away from the station's axis and back, it was re-docked at 22:59 UTC. 2022 Jan 7 at about 22:00 UTC, Tianzhou 2 undocked from Tianhe and backed away. At 23:55 UTC it was re-docked at the same, forward, port under manual remote control by the CSS crew. Undocked for final time 2022 March 27 at 07:59 UTC. Retro-fire Mar 31 at around 10:00 UTC, whilst passing over central China. led to destructive re-entry above the southern Pacific Ocean at 10:40 UTC with any surviving debris hitting the ocean surface a few minutes later. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2021 May 29, 13:12 | 6637 | 0.0094 | 197 | 322 | 89.69 | 41.47 | 176 | | | 2021 May 29, 14:11 | 6751 | 0.0006 | 369 | 376 | 92.00 | 41.47 | 2 | | | 2021 May 29, 17:22 | 6738 | 0.0006 | 356 | 364 | 91.74 | 41.47 | 24 | | | 2022 Mar 26, 13:11 | 6757 | 0.0007 | 373 | 383 | 92.12 | 41.47 | 250 | | | 2022 Mar 28, 00:32 | 6783 | 0.0041 | 377 | 433 | 92.66 | 41.47 | 183 | | | 2022 Mar 30, 00:20 | 6782 | 0.0041 | 376 | 432 | 92.65 | 41.47 | 198 | | | |
2021-053 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2021 Jun 17, 01:22 | Shenzhou 12 2021-053A 48852 |
Re-entered - 2021 Sep 17 Life 92 days
Returned to Earth |
Carried crew of Nie Haisheng (commander), Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo to Chinese Space Station (CSS). Docked with forward-facing port of Tianhe at 07:54 UTC. The crew entered CSS at 10:48 UTC. Undocked 2021 Sep 16 at 00:56 UTC and backed away. It then made a simulated docking with Tianhe's downward-facing port as a rehearsal for the upcoming Shenzhou 13 mission. Orbital module separated from the main spacecraft Sep 17 at 04:43 and retro-fire followed shortly after. The descent module landed in central China at 05:34 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
estimated orbit | 6637 | 0.0094 | 197 | 322 | 89.69 | 41.47 | 176 | | | 2021 Jun 17, 08:53 | 6759 | 0.0009 | 375 | 387 | 92.17 | 41.47 | 301 | | | 2021 Sep 16, 06:37 | 6758 | 0.0007 | 376 | 385 | 92.16 | 41.47 | 350 | | | 2021 Sep 16, 23:21 | 6765 | 0.0004 | 384 | 390 | 92.30 | 41.55 | 260 | | | |
2021-085 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2021 Sep 20, 07:10 | |
Re-entered - 2022 Jul 27 Life 310 days
|
Supplies and equipment to Chinese Space Station (CSS) in advance of the Shenzhou 13 crew mission. Also carries hosted payloads consisting of a set of space science and engineering sensors operated independently of the space station mission, including a detector to scan for orbital space debris. Initial orbit was similar to 2021-085B. Docked with the rear port of Tianhe at 14:08 UTC on the day of launch. Undocked 2022 Apr 19 at 21:02 UTC, following departure of Shenzhou 13. Docked with the forward port of Tianhe Apr 20 at 01:06 UTC. Undocked 2022 Jul 17 at 02:59 UTC. Caused to re-enter above the southern Pacific Ocean 2022 Jul 27 at 03:31 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2021 Sep 20, 11:25 | 6747 | 0.0002 | 368 | 371 | 91.93 | 41.46 | 269 | | | 2021 Sep 20, 13:03 | 6761 | 0.0004 | 380 | 385 | 92.21 | 41.47 | 290 | | | 2022 Jul 15, 21:23 | 6759 | 0.0004 | 378 | 383 | 92.17 | 41.47 | 281 | | | 2022 Jul 17, 13:58 | 6762 | 0.0002 | 383 | 385 | 92.23 | 41.47 | 126 | | | |
2021-092 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2021 Oct 15, 16:23 | Shenzhou 13 2021-092A 49326 |
Re-entered - 2022 Apr 16 Life 183 days
Returned to Earth |
Carried crew of Zhai Zhigang (commander), Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu (the backup crew from Shenzhou 12) to CSS (Chinese Space Station). Docked with the downward-facing port of the Tianhe module at 22:48 UTC with hooks and latches closed at 22:56 UTC. Initial orbit was similar to the rocket stage. The inclination of the first orbit listed may be an error. Undocked, carrying its crew, 2022 Apr 15 at 16:44 UTC. Its orbital module was released Apr 16 at 01:06 UTC and retro-fire occurred shortly after, leading to a landing in Inner Mongolia at 01:56 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2021 Oct 15, 22:29 | 6710 | 0.0006 | 328 | 335 | 91.17 | 42.41 | 158 | | | 2021 Oct 16, 04:14 | 6762 | 0.0002 | 382 | 385 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 251 | | | 2022 Apr 15, 10:07 | 6755 | 0.0007 | 372 | 381 | 92.09 | 41.47 | 347 | | | 2022 Apr 15, 19:42 | 6751 | 0.0006 | 369 | 377 | 92.01 | 41.48 | 9 | | | |
2022-050 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2022 May 9, 17:56 | |
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 14 Life 189 days
|
Supplies and equipment to Chinese Space Station (CSS) in advance of the Shenzhou 14 crew mission. Made rendezvous with CSS and the final docking command was issued May 10 at 00:54 UTC. Docked with the rear port of Tianhe a few minutes later. Also includes a set of hosted payloads consisting of a set of space science and engineering sensors operated independently of the space station mission. Undocked 2022 Nov 9, 06:55 UTC. Retro-fire led to re-entry above the southern Pacific Ocean Nov 14, 23:21 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 May 09, 22:12 | 6748 | 0.0010 | 363 | 376 | 91.93 | 41.46 | 288 | | | 2022 May 10, 13:55 | 6763 | 0.0012 | 376 | 393 | 92.24 | 41.47 | 306 | | | 2022 Nov 08, 13:27 | 6766 | 0.0009 | 382 | 394 | 92.32 | 41.48 | 256 | | | 2022 Nov 09, 15:31 | 6766 | 0.0010 | 381 | 394 | 92.31 | 41.48 | 261 | | | 2022 Nov 09, 23:28 | 6763 | 0.0016 | 374 | 395 | 92.24 | 41.48 | 271 | | | | |
Re-entered - 2023 Feb 12 Life 279 days
|
6U Cubesat carrying an Earth imaging system. Released from Tianzhou 4 on Nov 13 at 22:02 UTC, after Tianzhou departed from CSS. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 Nov 16, 14:26 | 6763 | 0.0015 | 375 | 395 | 92.25 | 41.48 | 331 | | | |
2022-060 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2022 Jun 5, 02:44 | Shenzhou 14 2022-060A 52797 |
Re-entered - 2022 Dec 4 Life 182 days
Returned to Earth |
Crew to CSS - Chen Dong (commander), Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe. Docked with the downward-facing port of the Tianhe module at 09:42 UTC. Initial orbit similar to rocket upper stage. Undocked, carrying original crew, 2022 Dec 4 at 03:01 UTC. Retro-fire at 11:21 UTC led to landing near Jiuquan at about 12:10:29 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 Jun 05, 16:28 | 6766 | 0.0004 | 385 | 391 | 92.31 | 41.47 | 221 | | | 2022 Dec 02, 14:10 | 6768 | 0.0006 | 386 | 394 | 92.35 | 41.48 | 0 | | | |
2022-085 CZ 5B Wenchang Space Centre | 2022 Jul 24, 06:22 | |
in space
|
Module for Chinese Space Station, precise launch time 06:22:32 UTC, released from launch vehicle at 06:30:47 UTC about 5700 km behind CSS. Docked with forward-facing port of Tianhe module of CSS at 19:13 UTC on day of launch. Transferred to side port of docking module 2022 Sep 30 in ~60 min operation completed at 04:44 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
estimated orbit | 6619 | 0.0089 | 182 | 300 | 89.32 | 41.45 | 168 | | | 2022 Jul 24, 17:08 | 6756 | 0.0008 | 372 | 384 | 92.11 | 41.46 | 227 | | | 2022 Jul 24, 17:52 | 6761 | 0.0007 | 378 | 388 | 92.21 | 41.47 | 272 | | | 2022 Jul 24, 18:15 | 6762 | 0.0007 | 379 | 388 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 278 | | | |
2022-143 CZ 5B Wenchang Space Centre | 2022 Oct 31, 07:37 | |
in space
|
Chinese Space Station module. Separated from launch vehicle at 07:45 UTC. Docked with the forward-facing port of Tianhe at 20:27 UTC on day of launch. Nov 3, after a manoeuvre lasting for about one hour, a robotic arm docked it with a side port opposite Wentian at 01:32 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 Oct 31, 11:45 | 6627 | 0.0109 | 177 | 320 | 89.48 | 41.46 | 167 | | | 2022 Oct 31, 14:42 | 6690 | 0.0032 | 291 | 333 | 90.77 | 41.52 | 232 | | | 2022 Oct 31, 18:08 | 6762 | 0.0005 | 380 | 387 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 272 | | | 2022 Oct 31, 22:47 | 6762 | 0.0005 | 380 | 387 | 92.22 | 41.47 | 276 | | | |
2022-152 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2022 Nov 12, 02:03 | |
Re-entered - 2023 Sep 12 Life 304 days
|
Supplies to Chinese Space Station - support for the upcoming Shenzhou 15 mission. Inital orbit similar to the CZ 7 rocket stage. Docked with Tianhe rear port 04:10 UTC. 2022 December 18, Tianzhou released the Macau Student Satellite (54816/2021-035C) from its external Cubesat deployer - see launch entry for that date. Undocked 2023 May 5, 07:26:53 UTC and moved away from CSS to await Shenzhou 15 undocking. Docked with Tianhe forward-facing port Jun 5 at 19:10 UTC. Undocked 2023 September 11 at 08:46 UTC. Retro-fire shortly after 00:30 UTC on September 12 resulted in destructive re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere at 01:13 UTC above the southern Pacific Ocean. Any survivng debris would have hit the ocean surface about 10 minutes later. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 Nov 12, 09:34 | 6766 | 0.0010 | 381 | 395 | 92.31 | 41.48 | 274 | | | 2023 May 05, 02:27 | 6758 | 0.0006 | 375 | 384 | 92.14 | 41.47 | 197 | | | 2023 May 06, 06:35 | 6754 | 0.0007 | 371 | 381 | 92.07 | 41.48 | 160 | | | 2023 May 23, 04:00 | 6752 | 0.0010 | 367 | 380 | 92.02 | 41.47 | 277 | | | 2023 May 23, 15:12 | 6770 | 0.0054 | 355 | 428 | 92.39 | 41.50 | 347 | | | 2023 May 24, 10:56 | 6786 | 0.0029 | 388 | 428 | 92.72 | 41.48 | 310 | | | 2023 May 24, 19:03 | 6777 | 0.0009 | 393 | 405 | 92.54 | 41.48 | 296 | | | 2023 Jun 04, 05:31 | 6776 | 0.0007 | 393 | 403 | 92.52 | 41.47 | 10 | | | 2023 Jun 04, 16:57 | 6792 | 0.0019 | 401 | 427 | 92.84 | 41.47 | 260 | | | 2023 Jun 05, 06:31 | 6754 | 0.0003 | 374 | 378 | 92.07 | 41.47 | 283 | | | 2023 Jun 05, 21:27 | 6766 | 0.0004 | 386 | 391 | 92.32 | 41.48 | 304 | | | 2023 Sep 09, 10:58 | 6760 | 0.0010 | 375 | 389 | 92.19 | 41.48 | 333 | | | 2023 Sep 11, 10:59 | 6763 | 0.0011 | 378 | 392 | 92.26 | 41.47 | 16 | | | |
2022-162 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2022 Nov 29, 15:08 | Shenzhou 15 2022-162A 54379 |
Re-entered - 2023 Jun 3 Life 186 days
Returned to Earth |
Crew to CSS - Fei Junlong (commander), Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu. Separated from launch vehicle at 15:17 UTC. Matched orbit with CSS at about 19:30 UTC then docked with the forward-facing port of the Tianhe module at 21:42 UTC. Undocked carrying original crew 2023 Jun 3 at 13:29 UTC. Retrofire at 21:41 UTC led to landing in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia reportedly at 22:33 UTC but more likely 22:31 UTC. The first orbit listed is an estimate based on Chinese data. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 Nov 29, 15:18 | 6659 | 0.0121 | 200 | 361 | 90.12 | 41.48 | 125 | | | 2022 Nov 29, 19:40 | 6768 | 0.0006 | 386 | 393 | 92.34 | 41.48 | 336 | | | 2022 Nov 30, 08:10 | 6768 | 0.0006 | 386 | 393 | 92.34 | 41.48 | 340 | | | 2023 Jun 03, 14:12 | 6767 | 0.0004 | 386 | 391 | 92.33 | 41.47 | 289 | | | |
2022-C01 External Cubesat Deployer - Tianzhou 5 Chinese Space Station | 2022 Dec 18, 01:30 | Macau Student Science Satellite 1 2021-035C 54816 |
Re-entered - 2023 Mar 15 Life 87 days
|
8U Cubesat (4x2) built for China's Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST). it carries a number of educational payloads to "…teach students about imaging, radio communication and other spaceflight activities". Includes Amsat China's CAMSAT XW-4 payload for use by amateur radio operators with an Earth imaging system to collect and store pictures and then download them on demand. Time of release from CSS to be confirmed. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2022 Dec 20, 22:27 | 6763 | 0.0008 | 380 | 390 | 92.25 | 41.48 | 207 | | | |
2023-063 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2023 May 10, 13:22 | |
Re-entered - 2024 Jan 19 Life 254 days
|
Supplies to Chinese Space Station - support for the upcoming Shenzhou 16 mission. Initial orbit similar to the upper stage rocket. Docked with rear port of Tianhe module at 21:16 UTC on day of launch. Tianli, a 12U Cubesat was contained in a dispenser attached to its exterior, expected to be released before mission end. Undocked 2024 January 12 at 08:02 UTC. Released Dalian 1 Cubesat Jan 18 then a thruster firing January 19 at about 11:55 UTC led to destructive re-entry above the southern Pacific Ocean at 12:37 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2023 May 10, 19:12 | 6751 | 0.0004 | 371 | 375 | 92.01 | 41.51 | 173 | | | 2023 May 10, 22:27 | 6757 | 0.0007 | 374 | 384 | 92.13 | 41.48 | 231 | | | 2024 Jan 12, 03:29 | 6758 | 0.0005 | 377 | 383 | 92.15 | 41.47 | 92 | | | 2024 Jan 13, 18:11 | 6754 | 0.0010 | 369 | 383 | 92.07 | 41.47 | 120 | | | | Dalian 1 (Lianli) 2023-063C 58816 |
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 23 Life 349 days
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12U Cubesat carried into orbit by Tianzhou 6 and then released from an external dispenser on Tianzhou 2024 January 18 after its departure from CSS. Fitted with a high resolution imaging system and acting as a demonstrator of new satellite systems including a 3D printed launch dispenser. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2024 Jan 19, 01:34 | 6755 | 0.0009 | 371 | 383 | 92.08 | 41.47 | 151 | | | |
2023-077 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2023 May 30, 01:31 | Shenzhou 16 2023-077A 56761 |
Re-entered - 2023 Oct 31 Life 154 days
Returned to Earth |
Crew to CSS - Jing Haipeng (commander), Zhu Yangzhu (pilot and flight engineer) and Gui Haichao (payload specialist). Separated from launch vehicle at 01:40 UTC. Docked with the downward-facing port of Tianhe at 08:29 UTC. Initial orbit is an estimate based on Chinese data. Undocked carrying its original crew October 30 at 12:37 UTC. Retrofire at about 23:27 UTC led to landing about 50 km north of the Jiuquan launch site October 31 at 00:11 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2023 May 30, 01:41 | 6659 | 0.0121 | 200 | 361 | 90.12 | 41.34 | 125 | | | 2023 May 30, 10:18 | 6767 | 0.0004 | 387 | 392 | 92.34 | 41.47 | 268 | | | 2023 Oct 29, 09:08 | 6765 | 0.0004 | 383 | 389 | 92.28 | 41.47 | 349 | | | 2023 Oct 30, 17:56 | 6762 | 0.0005 | 381 | 387 | 92.23 | 41.47 | 43 | | | |
2023-164 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2023 Oct 26, 03:14 | Shenzhou 17 2023-164A 58146 |
Re-entered - 2024 Apr 30 Life 187 days
Returned to Earth |
Crew to CSS - Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin. Separated from launch vehicle at 03:23 UTC. Docked with the forward-facing port of Tianhe Oct 26 at 10:46 UTC. Initial orbit shown is derived from Chinese data. Undocked 2024 April 30 at 00:43 UTC. Retro-fire at about 08:56 UTC led to successful landing near the Jiuquan Space Centre at 09:46 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2023 Oct 26, 03:24 | 6653 | 0.0129 | 189 | 360 | 90.00 | 41.59 | 110 | | | 2023 Oct 26, 10:29 | 6765 | 0.0005 | 384 | 390 | 92.29 | 41.47 | 330 | | | 2024 Apr 29, 22:53 | 6758 | 0.0004 | 377 | 382 | 92.15 | 41.47 | 272 | | | |
2024-013 CZ 7 Wenchang Space Centre | 2024 Jan 17, 14:27 | |
in space
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Supplies to Chinese Space Station - support for the Shenzhou 17 & 18 missions. Separated from launch vehicle at 14;37 UTC. Initial orbit similar to the upper stage rocket. Docked with rear port of Tianhe module at 17:46 UTC on day of launch. A Cubesat, Bayi 08, was contained in a dispenser attached to its exterior, expected to be released before mission end. Initial orbit similar to the CZ 7 upper stage. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2024 Jan 17, 18:28 | 6759 | 0.0007 | 376 | 385 | 92.17 | 41.47 | 186 | | | |
2024-078 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2024 Apr 25, 12:59 | Shenzhou 18 2024-078A 59591 |
in space
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Crew to CSS - Ye Guangfu (commander), Li Cong and Li Guangsu. Separated from launch vehicle at 13:08 UTC. Docked with the forward-facing port of the Tianhe module at 19:37 UTC. Initial orbit based on Chinese data. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
estimated orbit | 6649 | 0.0117 | 193 | 349 | 89.93 | 41.46 | 130 | | | 2024 Apr 25, 20:32 | 6758 | 0.0004 | 377 | 383 | 92.15 | 41.47 | 271 | | | |
2024-194 CZ 2F Jiuquan Space Centre | 2024 Oct 29, 20:27 | Shenzhou 19 2024-194A 61683 |
in space
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Crew to CSS - Cai Xuzhe (commander), Song Lingdong (pilot) and Wang Haoze (flight engineer). Separated from launch vehicle at 20:36 UTC. Docked with the forward-facing port of the Tianhe module October 30 at 03:00 UTC. Initial orbit similar to launch vehicle upper stage. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis ( km ) | ecc | perigee ( km ) | apogee ( km ) | period ( min ) | incl ( ° ) | ω ( ° ) | | |
2024 Oct 29, 03:08 | 6765 | 0.0007 | 382 | 392 | 92.30 | 41.47 | 296 | | | |
Page date: 2011 Nov 21
Introduction updated: 2022 Jan 29
Entries updated as information arrives
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