China launched the Shenzhou-22 uncrewed spacecraft to the Tiangong orbital station.
The launch took place on Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:11 p.m. local time (04:11 GMT). China Central Television (CCTV) was broadcasting the launch. On November 14, the Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Shenzhou-22 was sent as a replacement for the spacecraft that was used out of turn to return the taikonauts. On November 1, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft carrying three taikonauts arrived at the Tiangong station.
