China's First Space Station on the Horizon

Artist's concept of the Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou spacecraft docking in orbit. 
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office

As reported by Spaceflight Now, China's space program is on the verge of launching its first space station. The relatively small complex will involve a module called Tiangong 1 docked with a Shenzhou capsule.

In the article, Stephen Clark writes:

The docked Shenzhou and Tiangong vehicles will form a miniature space station stretching approximately 60 feet long.

The docking demo, which is scheduled before the end of the year, will be a crucial accomplishment for China's future space aspirations. The construction and servicing of space stations will require modules to autonomously meet and link up in orbit.

Crews aboard two more Shenzhou missions in 2012 will launch to the orbiting laboratory for short-duration stays. The objectives of those missions will include space science, medical and technological experiments.

The Tiangong 1 module will remain operational for up to two years, hosting two visiting crews for brief missions.

For more on China's space station, see Clark's full article at Spaceflight Now.com.