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China launches second space laboratory

Friday, 16 September 2016 12:34 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 16 September 2016 12:38 AM ]

Tiangong-2 lifts off on a Long March 2F-T2 rocket from the Jiuquan launch centre on September 15, 2016. ©Xinhua

China is working towards setting up a space station as part of Beijing’s efforts to develop its space program.

The country has launched its second experimental orbiting space laboratory. The lab, which is called ‘Heavenly Palace-2’, lifted off on a Long March rocket from Gobi Desert.

The Shenzhou 11 spacecraft will take 2 astronauts to the lab once it’s in place. The astronauts will stay there for 30 days and will test systems and processes for mid-term stays in space and refueling. They will also conduct medical tests and other experiments. China aims to build a space station by the early 2020s.

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