China to Launch Space Station Test Module Next Week

China will launch a test module for its first space station next week between Sept. 27 and Sept. 30, state media reported today (Sept. 20). The unmanned module, called Tiangong-1 (which means "Heavenly Palace") will test autonomous docking procedures and other space operations in preparation for China's plan to build a 60-ton space station by the year 2020. The Chinese Long March 2F rocket set to launch Tiangong-1 has already been rolled out to its launch platform at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, according to state-run news service Xinhua. More

(Source: Space.com - Sep 21)