Chinese space-tracking vessel heads out for the Pacific

When the Yuan Wang 5 paid a visit to the Viaduct, it sparked some discussion as to the purpose and nature of its visit.

Suggestions on social media, as reported in the New Zealand Herald were that it was a spy ship. But was it? The Chinese tracking ship docked in Auckland last Thursday, and headed out earlier this week. The reason for its presence was to resupply before furthering its mission in the Pacific, according to the Chinese consulate in Auckland.

“It’s a science ship, and it’s just here to restock,” the consul general said. When asked for a comment on what the ship was doing in New Zealand, a spokesperson from the New Zealand Navy said it was not a navy matter.

“Because this is a Chinese ship, the people at the Chinese embassy really are the best ones to talk to about this.”

The Yuan Wang 5 (Yuan Wang means “long view”), is on its way to Papeete, and is scheduled to meet up with two more of its class.

According to the Chinese government, the ships are in the Pacific to track and guide the two-person, manned spaceflight Shenzhou 11, headed for the Tiangong-2 spacelab that launched in September this year.

Ships of this class have conducted similar operations before, with the launch of the Shenzhou 7,8, 9 and 10 missions, and the launch of the Tiangong-1 spacelab. The Shenzhou 11 is scheduled for launch October 17.