It successfully launched an experimental spacecraft.
In the framework of his ambitious project to have its own post manned space, like the United States and Russia, China launched yesterday with success the experimental module of a future orbital space station.
The module tiangong-1, the size of a wagon train, departed the space launch center Jiuquan, in the Gobi desert, and gave a technological turn to the National Day celebrations in China, to be held tomorrow.
After placement in orbit 350 kilometers away from the Earth, China plans to launch the unmanned spacecraft shenzhou 8 to test coupling maneuvers, possibly in the next few weeks. Two other missions, one of them manned would new practices next year, with astronauts that they would remain in it for a month.
The ultimate goal is to build a space station with three sections between 2020 and 2022.
President Hu Jintao and prime minister, Wen Jiabao, witnessed the launch from the space centers in Beijing and jiuquan respectively.
China is developing a race with its neighbors India and Japan, for a greater presence in space, but their plans have generated fears among the international community.
Despite the fact that the achievements chinese have been a source of pride for the communist government, his usual secrecy and the close ties of the space program with the military have inhibited the cooperation with the space programs of other nations, including the International Space Station in orbit.
Beijing, meanwhile, said that their objectives are peaceful and that military participation is normal, given the size of the company.
I hope you liked it!