NASA Spaceflight
• Martin Smith
Tianzhou-9 undocks as China ramps Tiangong cargo-and-crew operations; new freighter designs aim to boost reusability
Tianzhou-9 has officially undocked from China’s Tiangong space station, beginning its independent flight phase ahead of atmospheric re-entry. The resupply mission comes as China tests new low-Earth-orbit cargo freighter designs and reveals planned upgrades intended to improve reusability and expand operational capacity for follow-on crew and cargo flights.
