EXPLAINER: China prepares space station core module launch

China plans to launch the core module for its first permanent space station this week

BEIJING -- China plans to launch the core module for its first permanent space station this week in the latest big step forward for the country’s space exploration program. The Tianhe, or “Heavenly Harmony” module is set to be hurtled into space aboard a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan. The launch could come as early as Thursday night if all goes as planned. It would be the first of 11 missions to build and supply the space station for a three-person crew. Here's a look at the planned launch and the past and future of China's space program.