Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, Hainan Province, south China - May 8, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of combination of Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft and carrier rocket Long March-7 Y11 on launch pad

Beijing, China - May 8, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Various of engineers at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in rehearsal; screen showing launch countdown, spacecraft flight attitude

Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, Hainan Province, south China - May 8, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wei Wei, engineer, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) (starting with shot 2/ending with shots 4-5):
"First, we need to establish the interface between the rocket and ground equipment, ensuring all gas and liquid connections are secure. Next, we shall conduct pre-launch functional checks on the electrical systems, after which our focus will shift to the propulsion system. Once all preparations are complete, we will proceed with final fueling and launch operations on launch day."

Beijing, China - May 8, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Various of engineers participating in rehearsal, China Space badge on uniform

Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, Hainan Province, south China - May 8, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Various of rocket-spacecraft combination on launch pad
6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Weichen, engineer, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) (starting with shot 5/ending with shot 7):
"Tianzhou-10 is the fifth cargo mission since the start of the space station's application and development phase. This time, Tianzhou-10 is set to remain in-orbit for 12 months, longer than previous missions which stayed nine to 10 months at the space station. This was factored in during the design phase."
7. Aerial shot of rocket-spacecraft combination on launch pad

In Space - Released on May 9, 2026 (China Manned Space Agency - No access Chinese mainland)
8. Various of Shenzhou-21 astronauts working inside space station

A joint rehearsal for the Tianzhou-10 cargo craft mission was successfully completed Friday morning at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, with all systems passing functional checks to signal readiness for the upcoming launch mission.

The rehearsal was the most extensive simulation for the Tianzhou-10 mission apart from the ignition launch, involving the largest number of systems and rehearsal elements to date.

Testing teams at the launch site rigorously conducted functional assessments, data analysis and system coordination drills to ensure all components operate as a unit.

"First, we need to establish the interface between the rocket and ground equipment, ensuring all gas and liquid connections are secure. Next, we shall conduct pre-launch functional checks on the electrical systems, after which our focus will shift to the propulsion system. Once all preparations are complete, we will proceed with final fueling and launch operations on launch day," said Wei Wei, an engineer at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

"Tianzhou-10 is the fifth cargo mission since the start of the space station's application and development phase. This time, Tianzhou-10 is set to remain in-orbit for 12 months, longer than previous missions which stayed nine to 10 months at the space station. This was factored in during the design phase," said Wang Weichen, also an engineer at CASC.

Currently, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts, Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang aboard the space station Tiangong are preparing for the spacecraft's arrival by organizing supplies and inspecting equipment. The station remains in optimal condition, awaiting Tianzhou-10's docking.

The combination of the Tianzhou-10 and a Long March-7 carrier rocket was vertically transferred to the launch site on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The cargo craft will be launched at a proper time in the near future, the CMSA said.

The Tianzhou-9 separated from the orbiting Tiangong space station combination on Wednesday and re-entered the atmosphere under controlled conditions on Thursday. The space station has thus cleared a docking port to make room for the Tianzhou-10, the CMSA noted.