26 September 2013 Last updated at 08:39 ET By Clive Simpson Beijing <\/p>\n
China expects to complete its first orbiting space station within a decade. <\/p>\n
The station, in low-Earth orbit, will be able to support six crew on short-term missions and three for long-term stays. <\/p>\n
Its design consists of three capsules - a core module attached to two laboratories - with a cargo vessel to transport supplies. <\/p>\n
The 2023 launch target was revealed at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Beijing. <\/p>\n
According to the China Manned Space Agency, the space station will cover an area of 60 sq m. <\/p>\n
Its core module (18.1m long) will weigh 20 to 22 metric tonnes and will be attached to two self-contained labs. <\/p>\n
Once operational, astronauts would be able to make long-term missions in orbit and conduct technical tests and science experiments, said Wang Zhaoyao, the director of the space agency. <\/p>\n
But before all this, China must first test technologies in renewable life support and in-orbit refuelling. <\/p>\n
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See more here: 26 September 2013 Last updated at 08:39 ET By Clive Simpson Beijing China expects to complete its first orbiting space station within a decade. The station, in low-Earth orbit, will be able to support six crew on short-term missions and three for long-term stays. Continue reading
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