Recently, China launched an unmanned module of its permanent s | MCQs For UPSC ☑

Recently, China launched an unmanned module of its permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022.

The module, named "Tianhe", or "Harmony of the Heavens", was launched on the Long March 5B, China's largest carrier rocket. India has also set its eye on building its own space station in low earth orbit to conduct microgravity experiments in space in 5 to 7 years.

The only space station currently in orbit is the International Space Station (ISS), from which China is excluded.

A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting crew members, designed to remain in space for an extended period of time and for other spacecraft to dock.

The ISS is backed by the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada.

China has been a late starter when it comes to space exploration. It was only in 2003 that it sent its first astronaut into orbit, making it the third country to do so, after the Soviet Union and the US.

So far, China has sent two previous space stations into orbit. The Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 were trial stations though, simple modules that allowed only relatively short stays by astronauts.

Significance for China:

China aims to become a major space power by 2030. It has ramped up its space programme with visits to the moon, the launch of an uncrewed probe to Mars and the construction of its own space station.

In contrast, the fate of the ageing ISS – in orbit for more than two decades – remains uncertain. The project is set to expire in 2024, barring funding from its partners. Russia has said recently that it would quit the project from 2025.