China has announced plans to launch its second space laboratory called the Tiangong 2 (Heavenly Palace 2) into orbit sometime by the third quarter of 2016. The Tiangong 2 space lab was initially scheduled to be launched by the China National Space Agency in 2015.

Like Us on Facebook

The Tiangong 2 weighs about 20,000 kilograms, and measures 4.2 meters in diameter and 14.4 meters in length, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office.

The nation also plans to send a manned spacecraft, called the Shenzhou 11, along with two astronauts on board, sometime by the fourth quarter of 2016. Once the spacecraft reaches orbit, it is expected to dock with the Tiangong 2 space laboratory.

In addition, China will launch its latest "Long March 7" rocket into space, along with the Tianzhou 1 (Heavenly Vessel 1) - the country's first cargo spacecraft. The Long March 7 rocket is expected to carry the cargo ship to the Tiangong 2 sometime by early next year.

The launch of the second space lab into orbit is part of China's goal to become the next space superpower by establishing its own permanent operational manned space station in 2022. The new third generation space station could rival Russia's "Mir", which was the first modular station to be assembled in orbit, and was the largest satellite until 2001.

In 2011, China launched its first space laboratory, the Tiangong 1, aboard the "Long March 2F/G" rocket, as a manned laboratory and a platform for experimenting orbital rendezvous. Back in 1970, China sent its first satellite into orbit and in 2003, it became the third country in the world to independently send humans into space.

TagsChina Second Lab Space Tiangong 2 2016, Shenzhou 11 Spacecraft 2016, China National Space Agency, Long March 7 Rocket, Tianzhou 1 Cargo Ship