The completion of China’s space station, while prompting U.S. concerns, opens doors for international collaboration
t 3:37 a.m. ET on Monday, China launched the last key component of its space station, the latest step in the country’s efforts to become a leading space power.
The Mengtian lab module, onboard a carrier rocket, blasted off the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the island of Hainan. It is expected to dock at the Tiangong Space Station within several hours.Designed to carry out microgravity and low-earth orbit experiments, Mengtian will be China’s second addition to Tiangong this year, following the July deployment of Wentian , a laboratory module equipped for biological research.
Completing the key structures of Tiangong is, in itself, a feat, considering its first core module was sent to low-earth orbit only in April last year. Tiangong makes China only the third country in the world apart from the U.S. and Russia to send up astronauts and build a space station. China still has many other extraterrestrial ambitions in the pipeline. Within the next decade, it plans to build a base at the moon’s southern tip and from there deploy a telescope with 300 times the field of view of the Hubble. It also intends to collect samples from Mars, among other aims. Some of these developments are scheduled to take place earlier than similar deadlines set by NASA or the European Space Agency .
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
World Cup 2022 latest news LIVE: Pogba to miss World Cup as Arteta hopeful on SakaIt looks very much like Paul Pogba will miss the World Cup after suffering a setback in training for Juventus.
Read more »
Putin Warns The World Is Facing The Most Dangerous Decade Since World War II | OilPrice.comRussian President Vladimir Putin says the world is facing its most dangerous decade since World War II, and that the West’s “undivided dominance over world affairs” is coming to an end
Read more »
World Cup 2022 latest news LIVE: Pogba to miss World Cup and Japan squad announcedJapan are the first nation to announce their 26-man squad for the World Cup. Celtic pair Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi miss out.
Read more »
Qatar World Cup dilemma for Newcastle United as two international managers descend on St James' ParkQatar World Cup dilemma for Newcastle United as two international managers descend on St James' Park nufc
Read more »