China launches experimental space module
Posted: Thu, Sep 29, 2011, 6:32 PM ET (2232 GMT)
China launched on Thursday a module that is designed to be the first step in a long-term effort to develop a space station. The Long March-2FT1 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China at 9:16 am EDT (1316 GMT, 9:16 pm Beijing time) Thursday and placed the Tiangong-1 module into 340-kilometer Earth orbit. The uncrewed module will be used to test rendezvous and docking technologies, starting with the launch of Shenzhou 8, an uncrewed version of China's manned spacecraft, later this year. A crewed Shenzhou spacecraft, Shenzhou 10, is slated to visit Tiangong-1 within the next two years, according to Chinese media. The module is the first step in long-term plans announced by Chinese space officials to develop a space station similar to the former Russian Mir space station by the end of the decade.
China launched on Thursday a module that is designed to be the first step in a long-term effort to develop a space station. The Long March-2FT1 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China at 9:16 am EDT (1316 GMT, 9:16 pm Beijing time) Thursday and placed the Tiangong-1 module into 340-kilometer Earth orbit. The uncrewed module will be used to test rendezvous and docking technologies, starting with the launch of Shenzhou 8, an uncrewed version of China's manned spacecraft, later this year. A crewed Shenzhou spacecraft, Shenzhou 10, is slated to visit Tiangong-1 within the next two years, according to Chinese media. The module is the first step in long-term plans announced by Chinese space officials to develop a space station similar to the former Russian Mir space station by the end of the decade.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, March 9
Two moon missions touched down on the lunar surface. How they unfolded was a stark contrast
CNN — 9:20 am ET (1320 GMT) China’s progress on ‘game-changing’ space technology raises US concerns about closing gap
South China Morning Post — 9:18 am ET (1318 GMT) Fleet Space unveils new global HQ and space tech hyper factory
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter — 9:14 am ET (1314 GMT) How Las Cruces lost the Spaceport America Cup
Albuquerque Journal — 9:13 am ET (1313 GMT) NASA launches plush mascot contest for next moon mission
Huntsville Times — 9:11 am ET (1311 GMT) |
