China unveils next-generation cargo spacecraft Qingzhou

Qingzhou, China's next-generation cargo spacecraft designed for future in-orbit supply deliveries, including missions to China's Tiangong Space Station, took center stage in Shanghai on Thursday as it made its first public debut.

The unveiling of the spacecraft's life-size model at the ongoing aerospace science exhibition at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, serves as part of the celebrations of this year's Space Day of China.

Developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingzhou is poised to embark on its maiden flight later this year. The development team is currently focused on finalizing the design of the spacecraft and software for the initial test phase. Production is also already underway for the subsystems and components of the test spacecraft, as confirmed by Chang Liang, the spacecraft's chief designer.