Light boat-like spacecraft is expected to be launched in 2027.

The prototype of the cargo spacecraft has been successfully launched into orbit in March this year, with a design lifespan of 3 years. After a series of key technological tests, it is expected that the prototype of the cargo spacecraft will be launched in 2027 to provide cargo transportation services for the Chinese space station. Chang Liang, the chief designer of the cargo spacecraft at the Institute of Microsatellites Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduced that the test flight is to prepare the prototype spacecraft for a good on-orbit test and verify many key technologies, including sealing cabins, propulsion, and a series of other technologies. This has laid a very good foundation for the prototype of the cargo spacecraft, and it is expected that in early 2027, the prototype of the cargo spacecraft will be launched, officially docking with the Chinese space station, and will serve as an important supplement to the Tianzhou spacecraft, performing relatively low-cost cargo transportation tasks for the Chinese space station. Currently, the development of the prototype of the cargo spacecraft is steadily advancing.