China launches unmanned spacecraft

China’s unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou 8 blasted off, in the latest step in what will be a decade-long effort by the country to place a manned permanent space station in orbit.

The spacecraft took off from a base in the far western city of Jiuquan, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Minutes later, Xinhua cited Chang Wanquan, who leads China’s space programme, as announcing the launch a success.

China launched its own space station programme after being rebuffed in its attempts to join the 16-nation International Space Station, largely on objections from the United States.

The US is wary of the Chinese programme’s military links and the sharing of technology with its chief economic and political competitor.

The Shenzhou 8 will attempt to dock with an experimental module, carrying out manoeuvres to couple with the Tiangong 1 module now in orbit. The 8.5-ton, box car-sized Tiangong 1 was launched last month.

Following Shenzhou 8, two more missions – at least one of them manned – are to meet up with the module next year for further practice, with astronauts staying for up to one month.

Plans call for launching two other experimental modules for more tests before the actual station is launched in three sections between 2020 and 2022.

At about 60 tons when completed, the Chinese station will be considerably smaller than the International Space Station, which is expected to continue operating until 2028.