Today (29 September 2011) at 13:16GMT China successfully launched its first space laboratory module Tiangong-1 from the Jiuquan spaceport in the Gobi Desert in Gansu Province.Tiangong means "heavenly palace" in Chinese.The module was on a carrier rocket, called the Long March 2F T1.This 8.5-ton lab module is a part of the Chinese space exploration program to test a space rendezvous and docking capabilities which will ultimately serve as a stepping stone to developing a manned space platform.
According to Wu Ping, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Engineering Project,the effective volume of the experiment module is about 15 cubic meters, which could potentially accommodate three astronauts.This 30-foot-long cylindrical lab module was launched without any astronaut in it,but the Chinese astronauts will visit this orbiting space lab later this year.The apparently successful launch of this space lab is culmination of china's decade of space research.Controllers will later confirm that this space lab is in correct orbit or not.China is one the three countries in the world which have independently sent humans into space.China sent its first astronaut in space in 2003.
(Images via space.com)
"It is of great significance for the realization of the three-step Strategy of China Manned Space Engineering Project and the promotion of sustainable development of manned space flight." said Wu.According China's Xinhua news agency,Beijing hopes to build a space station by around 2020.Further details about this project may be found at space.com.
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