Update: Tianzhou-8 cargo craft re-enters atmosphere

BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- China's Tianzhou-8 cargo craft has re-entered the atmosphere in a controlled manner at 6:42 a.m. (Beijing Time) Wednesday, 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, said the CMSA.

Launched on Nov. 15, 2024 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the Tianzhou-8 was loaded with supplies for astronauts, propellants, and devices for applications and experiments.

The Tianzhou-8 separated from the orbiting Tiangong space station combination on Tuesday and then entered its independent flight phase. ■