Launch of Tiangong-1 Success

China's first space lab Tiangong-1 has successfully entered its designated orbit.

The Tiangong-1 module¹ is to take part in the country's first space docking procedure that will ultimately allow China to launch its own space station around 2020.

CRI's Zhang Shuangfeng reports from the Jiuquan.

 
China's first space lab module Tiangong-1 blasted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

Commander-in-chief of China's manned space program Chang Wanquan announced the launch of Tiangong-1 is successful.

"According to report from Beijing Aerospace² Control Centre, Tiangong-1 has entered its designated orbit. Let me declare, the launch of Tiangong-1 is successful."

The unmanned module, carried by the Long March rocket, will test space docking with a Chinese spacecraft later this year, paving the way for China to become the third country in the world to operate a permanent space station around 2020.

Chinese President Hu Jintao watched the launch from the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, while Premier³ Wen Jibao has watched the historical take-off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The big test will come about one month after the blastoff, when it attempts to join up with an unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft that China plans to launch.

China will turn its future space station into an international platform for space research and application.
 
Karl Bergquist, Administrator⁴ of the International Relations Department at the European Space Agency, says it's positive news.

"I think this is a great step first of all for China, but it's also very important for the other space-faring countries, I mean everybody involved in the manned space activities and in space in general, because it's a new impetus⁵. It's a new scientific lab which is being launched. I think this is very positive news."

China has expressed its strong willingness to cooperate with other countries in exploring space. So far China's Long March rocket series has successfully sent more than 20 satellites into space for the United States, Australia, Pakistan and other countries and regions.

One Chinese scientist and five international peers have also participated in Russia's Mars-500 Program, a ground-based experiment simulating a manned expedition to Mars.

For CRI, this is Shuangfeng in Jiuquan.

1 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

2 aerospace   

adj.航空的，宇宙航行的

参考例句：

• The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
• Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。

3 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

4 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

5 impetus   

n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力

参考例句：

• This is the primary impetus behind the economic recovery.这是促使经济复苏的主要动力。
• Her speech gave an impetus to my ideas.她的讲话激发了我的思绪。