China completes joint rehearsal for Tianzhou-9 cargo mission

China successfully conducted a joint rehearsal on Sunday morning for the upcoming launch of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, which is tasked with carrying supplies to China's space station Tiangong in orbit, confirming all systems ready for launch.

Under the coordination of the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, the Wenchang Space Launch Site, the Xi'an Satellite Control Center and the mission's sub control stations simulated the pre-launch procedures, the launch procedures, and the spacecraft flight at around 08:20 Sunday. The full-area rehearsal assessed the compatibility and coordination among the different systems.

"The Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft is the one with the highest payload among the latest modified versions, carrying hundreds more of kilograms than its predecessors. The Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft is also the first spacecraft equipped with emergency launch capabilities. The emergency launch capabilities were available at the time when the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft was launched. This time, we will launch it under normal conditions," said Li Zhiyong, a researcher with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The full-area rehearsal is the most comprehensive simulation exercise for the Tianzhou-9 mission, with the maximum number of participating systems and elements, except for the ignition launch.

The successful completion of the rehearsal means that all systems are ready for the launch.

"We've finished all preparations that follow the transfer of the spacecraft and rocket combination to the launch tower. We are about to start the final electrical tests and the cargo-loading drill before the launch. We've made all necessary preparations to ensure that the launch mission proceeds smoothly as planed," Li said.

At present, the space station combination is working normally, and the Shenzhou-20 astronaut crew is also conducting manual remote operation training in orbit to prepare for the arrival of the Tianzhou-9.

China completes joint rehearsal for Tianzhou-9 cargo mission

China completes joint rehearsal for Tianzhou-9 cargo mission

Protests against federal immigration enforcement are spreading across the United States, with the latest demonstration unfolding directly in front of the White House.

Early Saturday, more than a hundred demonstrators gathered there, demanding changes to the Trump administration's immigration policies and accountability for recent shootings involving federal agents.

Immigrant rights and civil rights groups said this weekend's rallies mark a coordinated national response. Demonstrations are planned or already underway in major cities including Philadelphia, as well as across states such as North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C., where organizers are calling for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be removed from local communities.

The nationwide protests follow a deadly week in which three people were shot by federal agents in two days.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, was killed during an enforcement operation by the ICE. A day later in Portland, Oregon, a man and a woman were wounded during a separate federal operation.

In the aftermath, Minnesota state officials accused the Trump administration of blocking their investigation by denying access to key evidence and prematurely drawing conclusions before a full review could be completed.

On Friday, Donald Trump defended the Department of Homeland Security's actions, sharply criticizing Minnesota leaders and calling them corrupt.

Local leaders have pushed back. During a Saturday news conference, the mayor of Minneapolis described ICE agents' actions as reckless.

Officials in both Minneapolis and Portland continue urging demonstrators to remain peaceful as protests intensify nationwide.

According to a 50501 Movement statement issued Friday, at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025.

Nationwide protests erupt in US after ICE shootings