Beijing: China has launched its first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in Hainan province on Thursday.


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Tianzhou-1 is the fisrt cargo ship independently developed by China.


According to Xinhua news agency report, in space, the cargo spacecraft will dock with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab, provide fuel and other supplies, and conduct space experiments before returning.


China aims to build a permanent space station that is expected to orbit for at least 10 years, and the debut of the cargo ship is important as it acts as a courier to help maintain the space station, said the authorities.


Without a cargo transportation system, the station would run out of power and basic necessities, causing it to return to Earth before the designated time.


(With IANS inputs)