China ‘successfully launches’ second space station module

CHINA yesterday launched the second of three modules needed to complete its new space station, state media reported, as the country eyes a base on the Moon.

The uncrewed craft, named Wentian, was propelled by a Long March 5B rocket at 2:22pm (06:22 GMT) from the Wenchang launch centre on China’s tropical island of Hainan.

A quarter of an hour later, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed the “success” of the launch.

Hundreds of people gathered on nearby beaches to take photos of the launcher rising through the air in a plume of white smoke.

After around eight minutes of flight, “the Wentian lab module successfully separated from the rocket and entered its intended orbit, making the launch a complete success”, the CMSA said.

China’s space programme has already landed a rover on Mars and sent probes to the Moon.

In addition to a space station, Beijing is planning to build a base on the Moon and send humans there by 2030. The country launched the central module of its space station Tiangong – which means “heavenly palace” – in April 2021. Almost 60ft long and weighing 22 tons (48,500lbs), the new module has three sleeping areas and space for scientific experiments.

Wentian will dock with the existing module in space, an operation that experts said will require several highprecision manipulations and the use of a robotic arm. It will also serve as a

‘The Wentian lab module successfully separated from the rocket and entered its intended orbit’

backup platform to control the space station in the event of a failure.

The third and final module is scheduled to dock in October, and Tiangong – which should have a lifespan of at least 10 years – is expected to become fully operational by the end of the year.

Under Xi Jinping, the president, China’s plans for its “space dream” have been put into overdrive. Beijing has made large strides in catching up with the US and Russia, who have decades of experience in space exploration.