China launches third and final lab module of space station

Tags: Science and Technology International News

China on 1 November, 2022 launched its third and final permanent space station module (Tiangong space station).

Important facts

• The name of this lab module is Mengtian.

• Mengtian is the second lab module and the last major component of China's space station.

• Mengtian will later be relocated to its permanent position and three modules—named Tianhe, the Wentian Lab Module, and Mengtian—will form a basic T-shaped structure of the space station.

• It will provide space for science experiments in zero gravity.

• Mengtian weighs about 23 tons, is 17.9 metres (58.7 ft) long and has a diameter of 4.2 metres (13.8 ft).

• China's space laboratory will be fully ready as soon as this module, sent to the Wenchang Launching Station, located on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan, via Long March-5BY-4 rocket, connects to the space station Tiangong.

• China successfully launched the first lab module of its under-construction space station in the last week of July 2022.