<p>BEIJING &mdash; An automated cargo rocket carrying supplies for China’s new space station blasted off Saturday from an island in the South China Sea.</p>
<p>A Long March 7 rocket carrying the Tianzhou-2 took off at 8:50 p.m. (1250 GMT) from the Wenchang launch center on Hainan Island, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.</p>
<p>The Tianzhou-2 carried fuel and supplies for the Tianhe space station, state media reported earlier. The station’s core module was launched into orbit April 29. </p>
<p>The Chinese space agency says 11 launches are planned through the end of next year to deliver two more modules for the 70-ton space station, supplies and its three-member crew.</p>
<p>China was criticized for allowing part of the rocket that launched the Tianhe to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-china-technology-business-science-4510fec98c8a9e53290653333e31d1a2">fall back to Earth uncontrolled</a> earlier this month. There was no indication about what Beijing planned to do with the rocket from Saturday’s launch. </p>
<p>The Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony, is the third and largest orbital station launched by China’s increasingly ambitious space program.</p>
<p>Beijing doesn’t participate in the International Space Station, largely due to U.S. objections. Washington is wary of the secrecy surrounding the Chinese program and its military connections. </p>