DEPLOYDatabase

Robot model

Tianzhou

spaceproductionby China Manned Space Agency

Autonomous cargo spacecraft performing fast autonomous rendezvous-and-docking with the Tiangong space station.

Track Tianzhou
Manufacturer
China Manned Space Agency
Form factor
space
Maturity
production
Lifecycle
active
Deployments
2

The verified answer

As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies Tianzhou, a space by China Manned Space Agency (production): 2 verified deployments on record. 2 sources back the record.

Deploy Watch

Track Tianzhou on Deploy.

We notify you when a verified state change lands on the record, not when the company issues a claim.

Track Tianzhou

Key facts

Form factor

space

Maker

China Manned Space Agency

Role

cargo spacecraft

Autonomy level

autonomous fast rendezvous + docking

Specs

Role

cargo spacecraft

Autonomy

autonomous fast rendezvous + docking

Data & sources

Web sources

2

2 sources backing this record.View all →

Autonomy: verified vs claimed

What it actually does
Autonomous

Pricing

No verified price is on record for Tianzhou. Physical-AI systems are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price.

How DEPLOY tracks pricing

Deployments (2)

  • Tianzhou at Low Earth Orbitoperational

    Tianzhou robotic cargo spacecraft conducting regular resupply missions to the Tiangong space station since Tianzhou-3 in September 2021.

  • Tianzhou at Low Earth Orbitoperational

    The Tianzhou cargo spacecraft operates in low Earth orbit to deliver supplies and propellant to the Tiangong space station.

Free to use on your site, with a link back to DEPLOY.

Tianzhou on the deployment map

View the global map

Where Tianzhou is verified operating. Explore the deployment map by place and type.

Free to use on your site, with a link back to DEPLOY.

Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

Full change history →

Deployment-verified media (1)

PRIMARY SOURCE
Courtesy of CGTN

Chinese state broadcaster (CGTN) explainer on the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft's rapid autonomous rendezvous and docking with the Tiangong space station. An operating program, attributed to the CNSA.

From deployment: Low Earth Orbit

Safety record

1 incident on record (1 serious). Most recent: Oct 2025.

serious
1

Most recent: Oct 2025

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Incidents affecting Tianzhou (1)

Includes incidents linked directly to this model or to deployments of it. Retracted incidents are excluded from this view but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Sources (2)

  1. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202211/1279331.shtml
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianzhou_(spacecraft)

Common questions

What is Tianzhou?
Autonomous cargo spacecraft performing fast autonomous rendezvous-and-docking with the Tiangong space station.
How much does Tianzhou cost?
Tianzhou's price is not publicly disclosed. DEPLOY has no verified price on record for Tianzhou from China Manned Space Agency. Physical-AI systems like this are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price; check the manufacturer for the latest.
Is Tianzhou actually deployed in the real world?
Yes. Tianzhou is independently verified in real-world operation on the DEPLOY registry, confirmed at named deployment sites with primary sources: not a concept, render, or demo-only.
Who makes Tianzhou?
Tianzhou is made by China Manned Space Agency, based in Beijing, China, founded in 1993.
Where is Tianzhou deployed?
2 verified deployments of Tianzhou are on the DEPLOY registry, including at Low Earth Orbit.
Can you buy Tianzhou?
Tianzhou is in commercial deployment and is sold to operators; contact the manufacturer to buy, and see the pricing section for any recorded price.
What are alternatives to Tianzhou?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable space robots to Tianzhou include Chang'e Lander, Mira, W-Series Capsule, spacevan.
How does Tianzhou compare to Chang'e Lander?
Tianzhou and Chang'e Lander (China National Space Administration · 4 deployments) are both space robots on the DEPLOY registry. Tianzhou has 2 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Tianzhou a top space?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Tianzhou ranks in roughly the top 30% of space models tracked by the registry.
What is Tianzhou's maturity stage?
Tianzhou is at the production stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Production stage means high-volume manufacture and commercial-scale deployments are sustained.
Is Tianzhou safe?
Tianzhou has 1 active incident on record in the DEPLOY registry. 1 incident on record (1 serious). Most recent: Oct 2025. Retracted incidents are excluded from this count.
Methodology: Verified · 2 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-07-22

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-07-22

Maturity + lifecycle

Maturity stage: production

Lifecycle: active

Architectural position

Cohort: space

Sources by quality tier

1
unclassified
Unclassified source
1
knowledge-base
Knowledge base

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for Tianzhou.

Recent coverage

Tianzhou in third-party press

Cargo spacecraft to help advance space research - China Daily - Global Edition

May 12, 2026

China launches Tianzhou-10 cargo craft to send space station supplies - CCTV.com English

May 12, 2026

China's cargo craft Tianzhou 10 docks with space station Tiangong - China Daily

May 11, 2026