Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

In the next few hours, we'll see China take a step closer towards establishing its own permanent space station, as the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft prepares to dock with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab.

After docking, the complex will orbit Earth for 30 days, during which time the two astronauts will work and live according to their flight manual, operational guidelines and instructions from ground control.

The crew will conduct a series of experiments during their time in space. The mission will be a real test of China's ability to run a fully-functional space station.

Joining us here in the studio are Xu Yansong, Director for International Cooperation at the China National Space Administration, and Professor Yang Yuguang from the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.