LAUNCH OF TIANZHOU-8 CARGO RESUPPLY TO TIANGONG-3, Nov 15, 2024, Hainan Island, China,10:13 ET

Update, November 15: China has finally confirmed the launch is at 10:13 am EST (11:13 pm local time in China) today.

China plans to launch the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-8 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan around 11: 13 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency https://t.co/aJqnPvC05x pic.twitter.com/SU6oYZx8hL

— China Xinhua Sci-Tech (@XHscitech) November 15, 2024

Original entry: China is getting ready to launch the next cargo resupply ship to the Tiangong-3 space station, Tianzhou-8, from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on Hainan Island.  China’s CGTN usually provides live coverage of such launches.

As usual, China has not said exactly when the launch will occur, only that it will be at “an appropriate time.”

The Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft will be launched at an appropriate time in the near future, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The supplies aboard the spacecraft are primarily intended to support the Shenzhou-19 and Shenzhou-20 crews https://t.co/ynWnheFhHA pic.twitter.com/7A9B7EenmP

— China Xinhua Sci-Tech (@XHscitech) November 13, 2024

Amateur satellite observer Bob Christy calculates launch time as 15:12 UTC (10:12 am EST) on Friday, November 15.

TIANZHOU 8

Launch vehicle and payload were transported to the launch pad early today (UTC)

The ground track of CSS is set up for launch Nov 15 at 15:12 UTC ±1 minute pic.twitter.com/QwisqojbG2

— Orbital Focus (@OrbitalFocus) November 13, 2024