Tianzhou-7 Cargo Craft Re-enters Atmosphere

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Jan. 18, 2024 shows China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-7 approaching the combination of the space station Tiangong before docking. (Photo/Han Qiyang, Xinhua)

Beijing - China's Tianzhou-7 cargo craft re-entered the atmosphere in a controlled manner at 9:25 p.m. (Beijing Time) Sunday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Most of the spacecraft's components burned up during the re-entry, and a small amount of its debris fell into the scheduled safe waters.

The Tianzhou-7 separated from the orbiting Tiangong space station combination on Nov. 10 and successfully released a satellite used for science popularization during its independent flight.

Launched on Jan. 17, 2024 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the Tianzhou-7 was loaded with materials such as supplies for astronauts, propellants and devices for applications and experiments, according to the CMSA.