Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

China’s manned space project has a three-step strategic plan. The launch of space lab Tiangong 2 is part of the second step.

China officially launched its three-step manned space program in 1992.

The first step is to send astronauts into space, conduct multi-day and multi-manned space flights with a safe return to the preset position.  The Shenzhou 5 and 6 missions marked the success of the first phase.

The second step is a breakthrough in the key technology for extravehicular activity and rendezvous docking.  This was accomplished with the 4 missions of Shenzhou 7 to Shenzhou 10.  This phase also calls for a space lab for short-term applications involving humans in space. The Tiangong-2 will verify key technologies and build a solid foundation for China’s future space station.

The third step is to assemble and operate a space station around 2022. By then, China aims to have astronauts conduct long-term, scientific and technological experiments in orbit, and carry out comprehensive exploration and utilization of space resources.