China has docked its second lab module to its version of the International Space Station
China has launched a Laboratory Module from Hainan Island, which places the nation one step closer to an ongoing presence in space.
The Wentian module was launched on Sunday local time, and weighs 23 metric tons. The module’s name translates to “quest for the heavens”.
The component has four spaces for scientific experiments, a robotic arm, and an airlock for spacewalks.
The docking took place with three Chinese astronauts who arrived in June on a 14-crewed mission.
This latest mission comes as China’s Tiangong Space Stations nears completion, which is expected for later this year.
The station will become the world’s second orbital outpost after the International Space Station (ISS).
It follows a ban on Chinese astronauts from the ISS because of political concerns from the U.S. Russia has also recently left the ISS collaboration.
China’s President Xi Jinping has previously described his country’s plans a “space dream”, as he ushers support for his program to reach the same heights as the U.S.
