China successfully sent its unmanned Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit on Tuesday, marking the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 carrier rocket, blasted off at 12:11 Beijing Time (0411 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, sending food, medicine, spare parts and other essential supplies to the Shenzhou-21 astronauts currently on board the Tiangong space station. Sun Jushun, commander of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, announced the success of the launch mission. About 20 minutes after the liftoff, the spaceship separated from the rocket and has now entered its designated orbit as it prepares for the docking procedure with the Tiangong space station according to the CMSA. The spaceship performed a fast, automated rendezvous and docked with the front port of Tiangong's core module Tianhe in about 3.5 hours after entering orbit, the CMSA said. Tuesday's launch followed the postponed return of the Shenzhou-20 crew aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft on Nov. 14. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was struck by space debris, delaying its return originally scheduled to take place on Nov 5, according to the agency. SHOTLIST: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China - Nov 25, 2025 1. Various of Long March-2F Y22 rocket carrying Shenzhou-22 spaceship on launch pad; 2. Engineer counting down to launch; 3. Various of rocket blasting off, ascending; In Space/Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China - Nov 25, 2025 4. Split screen showing rocket in flight; separation of rocket, boosters; In Space - Nov 25, 2025 5. Separation of rocket, boosters; 6. Various of separation of payload fairing; In Space - Nov 25, 2025 7. Split screen showing rocket, Shenzhou-22 spaceship; Shenzhou-21 crew; 8. Various of rocket; split screen showing separation between rocket, Shenzhou-22 spaceship; Shenzhou-21 crew; 9. Solar panels unfolding; Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China - Nov 25, 2025 10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Sun Jushun, commander, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center: "Distinguished leaders and comrades, according to the rocket's flight data and calculations by the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center based on monitoring data, the Long March-2F Y22 carrier rocket has accurately sent the Shenzhou-22 spaceship into the predetermined orbit. The spaceship is functioning normally, with the solar panels fully unfolded. I hereby announce the Shenzhou-22 spaceship emergency launch mission a complete success."; 11. Various of scientists, technicians applauding. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]