China launches space module, planning space station by 2020.

The first testing module, known at Tiangong-1 was launched successfully today. The module will dock with several spacecraft over the next two years as the Chinese carry out tests to eventually build their own space station by 2020. All of the missions will be unmanned initially.

While China’s technology is thought to be far behind that of the current International Space Station, they are starting to catch up. The ISS is currently due to be withdrawn from use in 2020, meaning China may have the only continuous presence in space at that stage.