China's space dream took a step closer to reality as the Tiangong1module blasted off into the night sky on Thursday from the Gobi Desert.
China
's
space
dream
took
a
step
closer
to
reality
as
the
Tiangong1module
blasted
off
into
the
night
sky
on
Thursday
from
the
Gobi
Desert
.
The Long March F T1rocket, under the unmanned module, Tiangong1, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:16pm as planned.
The
Long
March
F
T1rocket
,
under
the
unmanned
module
,
Tiangong1
,
lifted
off
from
the
Jiuquan
Satellite
Launch
Center
at
9:16pm
as
planned
.
Ten minutes later Tiangong1separated from the rocket on its way to orbit,350kilometers above Earth.
Ten
minutes
later
Tiangong1separated
from
the
rocket
on
its
way
to
orbit,350kilometers
above
Earth
.
The module deployed its two solar panels, which provide power, at 9:28pm.
The
module
deployed
its
two
solar
panels
,
which
provide
power
,
at
9:28pm
.
The launch paves the way for China's first rendezvous and docking mission.
The
launch
paves
the
way
for
China
's
first
rendezvous
and
docking
mission
.
An unmanned Shenzhou spaceship will be launched in November to dock with Tiangong1.
An
unmanned
Shenzhou
spaceship
will
be
launched
in
November
to
dock
with
Tiangong1
.
Two more missions are scheduled for next year and astronauts will board Tiangong1, which can also function as a space lab.
Two
more
missions
are
scheduled
for
next
year
and
astronauts
will
board
Tiangong1
,
which
can
also
function
as
a
space
lab
.
Wu Ping, the space program's spokeswoman, said that the ability to rendezvous and dock is important for building a space station, which China has scheduled for around 2020.
Wu
Ping
,
the
space
program
's
spokeswoman
,
said
that
the
ability
to
rendezvous
and
dock
is
important
for
building
a
space
station
,
which
China
has
scheduled
for
around
2020
.
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said that the space lab and future space station provide a rare platform for conducting experiments that could lead to breakthroughs in the study of materials and biological pharmacy.
Zhou
Jianping
,
chief
designer
of
China
's
manned
space
program
,
said
that
the
space
lab
and
future
space
station
provide
a
rare
platform
for
conducting
experiments
that
could
lead
to
breakthroughs
in
the
study
of
materials
and
biological
pharmacy
.
"Experiments made in the microgravity of space can lead to unexpected results.
``
Experiments
made
in
the
microgravity
of
space
can
lead
to
unexpected
results
.
For example, gas and liquid are unable to mix on Earth, but in space they mix naturally," he said, "The primary purpose of China's manned space station is to peacefully explore space, and through it, serve mankind."
For
example
,
gas
and
liquid
are
unable
to
mix
on
Earth
,
but
in
space
they
mix
naturally
,
''
he
said
,
``
The
primary
purpose
of
China
's
manned
space
station
is
to
peacefully
explore
space
,
and
through
it
,
serve
mankind
.
''
Some have questioned the participation of the military in the program.
Some
have
questioned
the
participation
of
the
military
in
the
program
.
He said that China is firmly opposed to the weaponization of space and the program is peaceful.
He
said
that
China
is
firmly
opposed
to
the
weaponization
of
space
and
the
program
is
peaceful
.
The goal of the program, which has three steps, is to build a 60ton space station around 2020.
The
goal
of
the
program
,
which
has
three
steps
,
is
to
build
a
60ton
space
station
around
2020
.
The first of these, extravehicular activity, was completed successfully in 2008after Shenzhou was launched.
The
first
of
these
,
extravehicular
activity
,
was
completed
successfully
in
2008after
Shenzhou
was
launched
.
Rendezvous and docking is what is being experimented with.
Rendezvous
and
docking
is
what
is
being
experimented
with
.
The third technology involves cargo spaceships ferrying supplies to a space lab.
The
third
technology
involves
cargo
spaceships
ferrying
supplies
to
a
space
lab
.
The fourth tackles problems concerning the prolonged sustaining of life on a space lab, especially recycling air and water.
The
fourth
tackles
problems
concerning
the
prolonged
sustaining
of
life
on
a
space
lab
,
especially
recycling
air
and
water
.
China's space dream took a step closer to reality as the Tiangong1module blasted off into the night sky on Thursday from the Gobi Desert.  The Long March F T1rocket, under the unmanned module, Tiangong1, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:16pm as planned.  Ten minutes later Tiangong1separated from the rocket on its way to orbit,350kilometers above Earth. The module deployed its two solar panels, which provide power, at 9:28pm.  The launch paves the way for China's first rendezvous and docking mission. An unmanned Shenzhou spaceship will be launched in November to dock with Tiangong1.  Two more missions are scheduled for next year and astronauts will board Tiangong1, which can also function as a space lab.  Wu Ping, the space program's spokeswoman, said that the ability to rendezvous and dock is important for building a space station, which China has scheduled for around 2020.  Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said that the space lab and future space station provide a rare platform for conducting experiments that could lead to breakthroughs in the study of materials and biological pharmacy.  "Experiments made in the microgravity of space can lead to unexpected results. For example, gas and liquid are unable to mix on Earth, but in space they mix naturally," he said, "The primary purpose of China's manned space station is to peacefully explore space, and through it, serve mankind."  Some have questioned the participation of the military in the program. He said that China is firmly opposed to the weaponization of space and the program is peaceful.  The goal of the program, which has three steps, is to build a 60ton space station around 2020. The first of these, extravehicular activity, was completed successfully in 2008after Shenzhou was launched.  Rendezvous and docking is what is being experimented with. The third technology involves cargo spaceships ferrying supplies to a space lab. The fourth tackles problems concerning the prolonged sustaining of life on a space lab, especially recycling air and water.