China deployed its space tracking ship Yuanwang-7 on Monday ahead of the launch of cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1. The ship will carry out maritime space monitoring and communication mission.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Yuanwang-7, which is sailing its first independent journey, is heading to the Pacific Ocean. During its maiden voyage last July, it was accompanied by Yuanwang-6.

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The vessel is expected to perform emergency responses and scientific tasks when it reached the area on Thursday.

Yuanwang-7 is designed by China and measures 224.9 meters long, 44.2 meters high, and 27.2 meters wide, with a displacement of 27,000 tons. The vessel, which started its construction in 2014, could resist strong typhoons can carry 100 days of supplies. It is now part of China's new generation of spacecraft tracking ships that entered into service on July 12, 2016.

The space tracking ship has previously carried out scientific research and experiment-related activities like tracking missions for the Long March-5's maiden flight, space rendezvous, and docking of the manned spacecraft Shenzhou-11 and the Tiangong-2 space lab.

Meanwhile, the Tianzhou-1 mission is scheduled to launch from Wenchang later this month. It will perform rendezvous and docking with the orbiting Tiangong02 space lab as it tries to transfer liquid propellant in microgravity. The project is crucial for China's plan to launch and maintain its space station.

The Yuanwang-1 and Yuanwang-2 ships are the country's first generation space tracking vessels that entered service in 1979, making China the fourth country to master space-tracking technology next to the US, Russia, and France.

Tagsspace tracking ship, Yuanwang-7, Tianzhou-1, Space mission, Space Lab