Beijing plans 2020 space station launch

China is building a large space station and plans to launch the main capsule into orbit in 2020 as part of an ambitious plan to maintain a permanent manned presence in orbit. At least two more modules will be added in the two years following, according to Yang Liwei, who is director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office and was the first Chinese astronaut, or taikonaut, in space, in 2003. ‘‘China is ready to enter the space station era,’’ Yang said.