Edited and translated by Yao Chun, People's Daily Online
According to an unnamed source in a position of authority in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the remarkable Chinese unmanned space module Tiangong 1 will be launched soon.
However, because the experimental orbiter SJ-11-04, which was launched last week, failed to enter Earth's orbit, the launch of Tiangong 1 has been postponed until early September.
Tiangong 1, which means "Heavenly Palace" is the name of the first Chinese unmanned space module. After the launch of this aircraft, China will successively launch the Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 spacecraft that will dock with the Tiangong 1 to build the first Chinese space laboratory.
At present, Tiangong 1 and its carrier the Long March II-F carrier rocket have been moved to the launch site and are undergoing vertical assembly.
Tiangong 1 is expected to be launched in early September if everything goes well.