China launches its first module of 'Massive Space Station'

Hainan, April 29: China on Thursday launched its unmanned module named "Tianhe", or "Harmony of the Heavens", on the Long March 5B, China's largest carrier rocket, at 11:23 a.m. (0323 GMT). China has launched it from its Wenchang Space Launch Centre on the southern island of Hainan.

 

 

The unmanned module contains living quarters for three crew on a permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022. The station is designed to operate for more than 10 years. The station is designed to operate for more than 10 years.

 

The core module will be the keystone of the Chinese space station in low Earth orbit a few hundred miles above the planet, serving as astronaut living quarters, a command and control element, an airlock for spacewalks, and a docking port for attachment of future crew and cargo vehicles.

 

 

 

The launch marks another major advance for the country’s space exploration. It is China's first self-developed space station According to the information given by state media, Tianhe is one of three main components of what would be China's first self-developed space station, rivaling the only other station in service - the International Space Station (ISS). It should be noted that the US has barred China from participating in ISS. The construction of the CSS was officially approved in 2010.

 

“(Tianhe) is an important pilot project in the building of a powerful nation in both technology and space,” state media quoted President Xi Jinping as saying in a congratulatory speech.

 

In the later missions, China will launch the two other core modules, four manned spacecraft and four cargo spacecraft. China aims to become a major space power by 2030. It has ramped up its space program with visits to the moon, the launch of an uncrewed probe to Mars, and the construction of its space station.

.

.