Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

A new chapter for China’s manned space program: The Tiangong-2 space laboratory successfully lifted off yesterday evening.

Twenty-four years after the country launched its manned space program, the Long March 2f rocket with Tiangong-2 on board ignited the sky above the Gobi desert.

The new space lab will be used to conduct various experiments in the fields of aerospace medicine, space science, and on-orbit maintenance. It is capable of receiving manned spacecraft and cargo ship for propellants resupply. Most importantly, it will test the water for China’s future space program.

“The living quarters of the new space lab have been improved to allow for mid-term in-orbit stays. Two astronauts can stay there for 30 days without needing to be resupplied,” said Wu Ping, deputy director of office of China’s Manned Space Program.

Since launching its first manned space mission in 2003, China staged a spacewalk, landed a rover on the Moon, and launched a demo space station Tiangong-1 in 2011. Today, the successful launch of Tiangong-2 space lab helps to realizing the Chinese dream in space exploration.