China launches three missions to build its space station



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Space station

China is preparing to launch three missions to start construction of its space station, News reports.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is putting the finishing touches on rockets to launch the country’s first space station module, as well as a loading and refueling craft.

According to NewsChina plans to build its three-module station over 11 planned missions. The country is also planning to launch a crewed mission using one of the same rockets.

Heavy lifting

The Long March 5B heavy carrier rocket developed by the Launch Vehicle Technology academy is intended to carry the first module, which weighs 22 metric tons, into orbit this spring. The exact launch date is still unclear.

“We will soon complete construction of China’s first long-term manned space station, meeting advanced global standards, and carry out large-scale space science research there,” said chief designer of China’s human spaceflight program Zhou. Jianping. Quoted by News.

“We firmly believe that it will play a major role at the forefront of the scientific exploration of humanity and also in the development of our space technology,” he added.

In 2022, the country also plans to send a Hubble-class space telescope called the Xuntian to reach orbit its space station.

READ MORE: China prepares for launch of space station, cargo and manned missions [SpaceNews]

Learn more about the Chinese space program: China crashed spacecraft on the moon so it wouldn’t become a space junk

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