What is the name of the new cargo spacecraft China plans to launch to its Tiangong space station in late March 2026?

Qingzhou is the name of China's innovative new cargo spacecraft designed to resupply its Tiangong space station. This "Light Ship," as its name translates, represents a significant step in China's efforts to enhance its space logistics and provide more flexible and cost-effective transportation to its orbiting outpost. It is being developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

This next-generation freighter is intended to complement China's existing Tianzhou series of cargo spacecraft, offering a smaller, lighter, and potentially more economical solution for delivering vital supplies. Qingzhou is designed with a hybrid structure, featuring both a pressurized module for crew provisions and delicate instruments, and an unpressurized section for external payloads and space-exposure experiments. It boasts a cargo capacity of up to 1,800 kilograms and incorporates advanced features like a four-tier shelving system with 40 compartments and capabilities for cold-chain transportation, ensuring fresh produce for taikonauts.

The development of Qingzhou underscores China's commitment to maintaining a permanently occupied Tiangong space station and expanding its capabilities. While initial plans might have aimed for a late March 2026 launch, current reports indicate that the full engineering model production is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, with its debut flight to follow based on the operational needs of the Tiangong station. This new spacecraft is also seen as a technological bridge for future lunar orbital operations and deep-space cargo transport, reflecting China's broader ambitions in space exploration.