China launches main part of its first permanent space station

Context

China recently launched the main module of its first permanent space station that will host astronauts long term, the latest success for a program that has realized a number of its growing ambitions in recent years.

About

• The Tianhe module - which contains living quarters for crew members - was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on a Long March-5B rocket.
• China hopes to have the new station operational by 2022.
• The new, 66-tonne, multi-module Tiangong station is set to be operational for at least 10 years.
• Tianhe is the core component of it. 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.
  

China’s journey in space’s exploration

• The only space station currently in orbit is the International Space Station (ISS), from which China is excluded.
  • The ISS is a collaboration between Russia, the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.
  • The ISS is due to be retired after 2024, which could potentially leave Tiangong as the only space station in Earth's orbit.
• China has been a late starter when it comes to space exploration.
• It was only in 2003 that it sent its first astronaut into orbit, making it the third country to do so, after the Soviet Union and the US.