The Wentian module was launched atop a Long March 5B rocket from Hainan Island at 2:22 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Wentian, China’s largest spacecraft weighing 23 metric tons, is equipped with four science cabinets to conduct environmental and biotechnological experiments under different gravity conditions. It also features a robotic arm for external experiments and an optional airlock for spacewalks.
The docking marks the penultimate phase of construction on China’s ambitious three-module Tiangong space station project, which is due for completion by the end of 2022.
Construction of the space station began in April last year with the launch of the Tianhe Module – the station’s main living quarters. In October, China is expected to launch a second laboratory module known as Mengtian. The two lab modules will connect to form a T-shaped structure, with Tianhe in the center. Monday’s docking took place with three Chinese astronauts aboard the space station, who arrived in June on the Shenzhou 14 crewed mission.
The Tiangong Space Station is the world’s second operational orbital outpost, along with the International Space Station (ISS).
Chinese astronauts have long been barred from the ISS due to US political objections and legislative restrictions. Russia, a long-time participant in the ISS, also left the project.
Last year, China was heavily criticized for its handling of space debris after it launched its first module on a Long March 5B rocket. The remains of the rocket made an uncontrolled re-entry to Earth and plunged into the Indian Ocean near the Maldives 10 days after launch last May.
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