China puts space station module into orbit
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, a Long March 5B rocket carrying a module for a Chinese space station lifts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang in southern China's Hainan Province, Thursday, April 29, 2021. China has launched the core module on Thursday for its first permanent space station that will host astronauts long-term. (Pu Xiaoxu/Xinhua via AP)
China has sent the main module of its first permanent space station into orbit.
The launch of the so-called “Heavenly Harmony” begins the first of 11 missions necessary to complete, supply and crew the station by the end of 2022.
In a message, President Xi Jinping congratulated launch center staff, saying the project was an important part of China’s strategy to develop its technology and aerospace industries.
Beijing began working on a space station plan in 1992.
This story was originally published by Adam Elrashidi at Newsy.
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