Tianzhou-9 Enters Atmosphere, China's Cargo Mission to Tiangong Ends

JAKARTA - China's cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-9, ended its mission after re-entering the atmosphere in a controlled manner on Thursday at 07.49 Beijing time. A small amount of unburned debris fell into a designated safe water.

China Manned Space Agency or CMSA stated that Tianzhou-9 had previously detached from the Tiangong space station combination on Wednesday at 16.34 Beijing time. After that, the spacecraft entered the autonomous flight phase before being directed back into the atmosphere.

Tianzhou-9 was launched on July 15, 2025 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan Province, southern China. This vehicle carries supplies for the Chinese space station, including astronaut needs during their stay in orbit, propellant, and application experimental equipment.

The entry of Tianzhou-9 into the atmosphere was carried out in a controlled manner. CMSA said only a small amount of debris remained after the combustion process in the atmosphere, then fell into the safe waters that had been designated.

Tianzhou-9's entry into the atmosphere marked the end of the supply delivery mission to the Tiangong space station.