Tianzhou 3

{{Short description|2021 Chinese resupply spaceflight to the Tiangong Space Station}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Tianzhou 3

| names_list =

| image = Tianzhou-1 paper model.png

| image_caption = A 1:144 scale Tianzhou 1 model

| image_alt = Tianzhou 1 model

| image_size = 300px

| mission_type = Tiangong space station resupply

| operator = CNSA

| COSPAR_ID = 2021-085A

| SATCAT = 49222

| website = http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/

| mission_duration = {{time interval|20 September 2021 07:10|27 July 2022 03:31|show=dhm}}

| spacecraft = Tianzhou-3

| spacecraft_type = Tianzhou

| spacecraft_bus =

| manufacturer = China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

| launch_mass = .

| dry_mass = {{cvt|6640|kg}}

| payload_mass =

| dimensions = {{cvt|10.6|x|3.35|m}}

| power = watts

| space_station = Tiangong space station

| arrival_craft =

| departure_craft =

| launch_date = 20 September 2021, 07:10:11 UTC

| launch_rocket = Long March 7

| launch_site = Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, LC-201

| launch_contractor = China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology

| entered_service =

| disposal_type =

| decay_date = 27 July 2022, 03:31 UTC

| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit

| orbit_regime = Low Earth orbit

| orbit_periapsis =

| orbit_apoapsis =

| orbit_inclination = 41.5°

| orbit_period =

| apsis = gee

| docking = {{Infobox spaceflight/Dock

| docking_target = Tiangong space station

| docking_type = Dock

| docking_port = Tianhe Aft port

| docking_date = 20 September 2021, 14:08 UTC

| undocking_date = 19 April 2022, 21:02 UTC

| capture_date =

| release_date =

| time_docked = {{time interval|20 September 2021 14:08|19 April 2022 21:02|show=dhm}}

}}

{{Infobox spaceflight/Dock

| docking_target = Tiangong space station
(Relocation)

| docking_type = Dock

| docking_port = Tianhe Forward port

| docking_date = 20 April 2022, 01:06 UTC

| undocking_date = 17 July 2022, 02:59 UTC

| time_docked = {{time interval|20 April 2022 01:06|17 July 2022 02:59|show=dhm}}

}}

| cargo_mass =

| cargo_mass_press =

| cargo_mass_unpress =

| cargo_mass_fuel =

| cargo_mass_gas =

| cargo_mass_water =

| insignia =

| insignia_caption =

| insignia_size = 200px

| programme = Tiangong program

| previous_mission = Shenzhou 12

| next_mission = Shenzhou 13

| programme2 = Tianzhou program

| previous_mission2 = Tianzhou 2

| next_mission2 = Tianzhou 4

}}

Tianzhou 3 ({{zh|c = {{linktext|天|舟|三|号}} }}) was a mission of the Tianzhou-class uncrewed cargo spacecraft, launched on 20 September 2021, at 07:10:11 UTC.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/tianzhou-3-spacecraft-docks-with-chinese-space-station/ |title=Tianzhou-3 spacecraft docks with Chinese space station |work=SpaceNews |date=20 September 2021 |access-date=21 September 2021}} Like previous Tianzhou missions, the spacecraft was launched from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan, China on a Long March 7 launch vehicle.

Tianzhou 3 was the second cargo resupply mission to the Tianhe core module (TCM) of the under-construction Tiangong space station, carrying over six tons of supplies. The spacecraft successfully docked at the TCM's aft port seven hours after launch at 14:08 UTC.

On 20 April 2022, Tianzhou 3 successfully relocated itself from Tianhe's aft port to the forward port to make the aft port available for docking by Tianzhou 4.{{cite web |url=https://english.news.cn/20220420/9511282c92ce4fc7b3fd3f259ae61524/c.html |title=Tianzhou-3 docks with Tianhe's front docking port |work=Xinhua |date=20 April 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}} On 17 July it was undocked for deorbiting, making way for the installation of the Wentian module.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://www.space.com/tianzhou-3-cargo-ship-undocks-tiangong-station |title=Tianzhou 3 cargo ship undocks from China's Tiangong space station |work=Space.com |date=19 July 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}} It reentered the Earth's atmosphere and burned up as planned on 27 July 2022.{{cite web |url=https://english.news.cn/20220727/346e2ed2a1ef4b18b45b400b4ecc5a1b/c.html |title=China's Tianzhou-3 cargo craft re-enters atmosphere under control |work=Xinhua |date=27 July 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}}