China succeeds in first space docking test

China has successfully carried out its first docking test of an unmanned spacecraft with a module launched earlier this year. It is an important step in its plan to construct a space station by 2020.

The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft was launched on Tuesday. It docked with the Tiangong One module, which was blasted into space on September 29th, 340 kilometers above Earth.

The maneuver was carried out by remote-control in Beijing and declared complete at 1:30 AM on Thursday, local time.

Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior officials watched the operation from the command center, while it was televised live on state TV.

The successful rendezvous demonstrated China's advancement in space technology.

It could also further arouse international concern over China's military development, which is closely connected to its space ambition.

Thursday, November 03, 2011 09:16 +0900 (JST)