China is making progress in the creation of its space station …

China this Saturday launched a cargo rocket with provisions and equipment for your new space station, which is still under construction, having suffered delays due to technical issues.

The 14-ton March 7 rocket, with the spacecraft Tianzhou-2 Loaded with food, equipment and fuel, it took off from the Wenchang launch center in the southern island province of Hainan. The freighter successfully separated from the rocket, entered orbit, and deployed its solar panels.

In turn, he stressed that the in-orbit assembly of the space station, called Tiangong (“heavenly palace”), will require about ten additional missions, so It is estimated to be fully operational in 2022 and to remain active in Earth orbit for at least 15 years.

Faced with the possibility of the International Space Station becoming inactive after 2028, the Tiangong station could become the only remote outpost for humans in Earth orbit.

“First, we will have to transport the necessary support material, spare parts and equipment, and then our crew,” said Hao Chun, director of the Chinese space agency.

In addition, he assured that once the freighter arrives at the space station, China will begin preparations to send three astronauts who will unload the goods, including foods such as pulled pork in garlic sauce and Kung pao chicken.

Beijing has already invested billions of dollars in its various space programs, which include projects in Earth orbit and sending unmanned spacecraft to the Moon and Mars, with the aim of catching up with Russia and the United States.

Chinese officials have said they are open to cooperation from other countries on their space stations. However, they have not yet specified what this cooperation could consist of.

This month, the Chinese rover Zhurong arrived on Mars and has already started sending its first images, making China the third country, after the United States and Russia, to land an unmanned robot on the red planet. .