Watch: China’s 1st cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 docks with space lab

China has launched its first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, taking another step towards its goal of establishing a permanently manned space station by 2022.

China has launched its first cargo spacecraft, taking another step towards its goal of establishing a permanently manned space station by 2022.

Long March-7 rocket carrying Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft lifts off from the launching pad in Wenchang, Hainan province, China. (Reuters Photo)

According to Chinese state media, the spacecraft can carry six tonnes of goods, two tonnes of fuel and can fly unmanned for three months.

The Tianzhou-1, which took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in China’s southern Hainan province, is docking with an orbiting space lab -- Tiangong-2. Watch the live video of the docking here: