Experimental Module Could Lead To A Chinese Space Station

China launched its Tiangong-1 module from the Jiuquan launch center in the Gobi Desert Thursday, the first step in what the government there hopes will be a Chinese space station 2020.

YouTube Capture Of Animation Presented On Chinese TV

The module, whose name translates to "Heavenly Palace," is part of a program developed to refine spacecraft docking technology. An unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft will be launched within the next few weeks to practice docking maneuvers with the unit launched Thursday. Manned flights are planned for next year, with astronauts staying aboard for up to a month, according to a report in the UK newspaper The Guardian and other media sources.

"This is a significant test. We've never done such a thing before," Lu Jinrong, the launch center's chief engineer, was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

This module is part of a temporary facility which will remain in orbit for about two years. The Chinese hope to begin construction of a permanent space station in 2020.

FMI: www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615709/cindex.html