China has launched a key module of a new permanent space station from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on a Long March-5B rocket.
- The Tianhe module contains living quarters for crew members which will be operational by 2022.
- The missions is the first three of 11 launches across 2021 and 2022 to build the planned 66-ton, three-module orbital outpost.
- Tianhe is the core component. It is 16.6m long and 4.2m wide. It will provide power and propulsion, and contains the life support technologies and living quarters required by visiting astronauts.
- The only space station currently in orbit is the International Space Station, from which China is excluded. Recently Russia has also announced to have its own space station.
