China Continues Building Its Space Station

On Sunday, China successfully launched its second module, called Wentian, to the Tiangong space station. Just 13 hours after the launch, the module docked at the station.

In June, China sent three more astronauts to the first module of the station to prepare for Wentian’s arrival.

Wentian is a multifunctional module that will serve several purposes. First, it contains equipment that allows the Chinese astronauts to perform various scientific experiments during their time on the station. Moreover, the module will provide three extra spaces to sleep, as well as another airlock that crew members can use to conduct spacewalks.

The station is to contain three modules. The last one, which is a lab module, called Mengtian, is set to launch in October. This will complete the Tiangong space station, forming a T-shaped structure once the final module has docked.