China has successfully launched the second space module to its Tiangong permanent space station. The 23-tonne Wentian laboratory module launched on the rocket, the Long March 5B, from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan.
Key highlights
- Wentian used its own propulsion system to match orbit with Tianhe, the core module of China’s under-construction space station, and completed rendezvous and docking with a forward docking port.
- The launch was a complete success.
- The Wentian lab module will enable astronauts carry out scientific experiments, along with the other lab module.
- This is the second of the three space modules required for its permanent space station. First space module Tianhe was launched in April’2021.
- Third module, Mengtian, is expected to be launched in October 2022 and, like Wentian, is to dock with Tianhe, forming a T-shaped structure.
- Both Wentian and Mengtian will be transpositioned to lateral docking ports, completing the planned T-shaped Tiangong space station.
- China intends to operate the station for at least a decade, with crews of three astronauts six-month-missions.
