Good weather expected for Tianzhou-1 space launch

Tianzhou-1 is scheduled for launch from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan at 7:41 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time). [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Weather conditions will be suitable for the launch of China's first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, according to the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern island province of Hainan.

Tianzhou-1 is scheduled for launch from the center at 7:41 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time).

Meteorologists expect cloudy weather conditions during the scheduled launch time.

As the Wenchang center is located in a coastal area, thunderstorms and heavy rain, which are increasingly frequent in April in the area, may have a huge impact on rocket launch missions, according to meteorologist Guo Xuewen.

The meteorologists' analysis found that some unfavorable weather may appear starting Friday afternoon, but is unlikely to affect the launch, which is scheduled for Thursday, according to Zhao Xiaoping, a meteorologist with the Wenchang center.

The meteorologists will intensify weather monitoring for the center from Thursday afternoon, the center said in a statement.