China launches Tianzhou-8 cargo craft to send space station supplies

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Friday night to deliver supplies for its orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Long March-7 Y9 rocket carrying the spacecraft blasted off at 23:13 Beijing Time (1513 GMT) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan.

After about 10 minutes, the Tianzhou-8 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels then unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success.

The cargo craft will later conduct the rendezvous and docking with the space station combination.

Afterwards, the Shenzhou-19 crew, which was sent into the space station on October 30, will enter the cargo craft and transfer the items as scheduled.

China launches Tianzhou-8 cargo craft to send space station supplies

China launches Tianzhou-8 cargo craft to send space station supplies

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet with Chilean President Gabriel Boric in Lima on Friday.

Xi arrived in Peru's capital Lima on Thursday for the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and a state visit to the Latin American country at the invitation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

Scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Lima under the theme "Empower, Include, Grow," the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will gather leaders from 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific, including the United States and China, as well as other major economies in Southeast Asia.

Xi to meet Chilean president in Lima