China's Tianzhou-9 cargo ship moved to launch area for final preps

The combination of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft and a Long March-7 Y10 carrier rocket was vertically transferred to the launching area at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Saturday, marking a key step ahead of its upcoming scheduled launch.

The cargo spacecraft will be launched at an appropriate time from the launch site in China's southern island province of Hainan in the coming days, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Wenchang Space Launch Site is located on the coast of the South China Sea, where July is typically hot and rainy. The Long March-7 carrier rocket, responsible for launching the cargo spacecraft, boasts a mature and highly reliable technology capable of withstanding complex weather conditions, according to the aerospace technicians.

"In terms of technical readiness, our rocket is not afraid of hot weather or moderate rainfall. As for the cargo spacecraft, it remains enclosed in the payload fairing. During transfer and after arrival at the pad, air-conditioning systems maintain a stable temperature and humidity environment to ensure the spacecraft stays in optimal condition," said Wang Xi, a technician with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The Tianzhou-9 will carry approximately 6.5 tonnes of supplies into orbit, including life-support materials for the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 astronaut crews, two new sets of Feitian extravehicular spacesuits, a core muscle exercise device, and scientific payloads related to space medicine and other experimental fields.

"Once the combination reaches the launch tower, connections for gas, liquid, and electrical systems between the rocket and ground support equipment are restored. Then, we conduct essential tests. Tomorrow (On Sunday), we will perform a tank replacement for the propellant system and pressurize the necessary gas cylinders as part of the pre-launch preparations. Once the launch sequence begins, we'll proceed with fueling and carry out the remaining launch operations," said Wang.

Ground facilities are in good condition, and final pre-launch checks and joint tests will proceed as planned, following the vertical transfer, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

China's Tianzhou-9 cargo ship moved to launch area for final preps

China's Tianzhou-9 cargo ship moved to launch area for final preps

Demonstrators rallied across U.S. cities over the weekend to denounce the military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country.

The Venezuelan government said the military strikes targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the U.S. action blatantly violated the UN Charter.

The U.S. military intervention has since drawn widespread criticism, sparking protests at home.

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Sunday, where Maduro is being held, calling the U.S. government actions outrageous and a violation of international law.

Others gathered in the Times Square on Saturday following the capture of the Venezuelan president and his wife, saying the actions are not only illegal but also showed no respect.

"I mean, you don't just step in and take over another country. We have absolutely no right to do that. We have so much trouble in our country right here," said a protester named Sartre.

"It just defies not only human respectability in life but common sense," said another protester.

Additionally, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House, holding banners with slogans reading "Hands off Venezuela" and "Stop bombing Venezuela now."

Demonstrators rally in US cities over military action in Venezuela