China launches key module of space station planned for 2022

Tianhe module is one of the three main components of what would be space station China’s building to rival the International Space Station.

China has launched an unmanned module containing living quarters for three crew on a permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022, state media reported. The module, named “Tianhe”, or “Harmony of the Heavens”, was launched on the Long March 5B, China’s largest carrier rocket, at 03:23 GMT on Thursday from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on the southern island of Hainan. Tianhe is one of the three main components of what would be China’s first self-developed space station, rivalling the only other station in service – the International Space Station (ISS).