China is set to test build its second space station later this year. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has announced it will separately launch a space module and a space shuttle. Two carrier rockets have already been sent to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The module, known as Tiangong No. Two laboratory will be shot into space in mid-September. Space shuttle, Shenzhou No. Eleven will be launched in October. The Shenzhou shuttle will carry two astronauts and dock with Tiangong No. Two. Chief engineer of the Long March 2F rocket says it is rare to schedule two launches so closely. He says double-missions will become normal practice in the future if China builds or runs a space station.

"Usually our team wouldn't have the resources to build two rocket at the same time. But in this program, there were four days when we were able to work on both. So after the first launch, it won't be long till the second," said Zhang Zhi, chief engineer of Long March 2F Rocket.