Tiangong-1, China's First Space Lab, is Launched on Sept 29, 2011

Tiangong-1, China's first target spacecraft, is launched on Sept 29, 2011. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

Tiangong-1, China's first space lab, is launched on Sept 29, 2011

Tiangong-1, China's first space lab, was launched on Sept 29, 2011.

Developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Tiangong-1 was the first manned space lab platform independently developed by China.

It was 10.4 meters long and 3.35 meters in diameter and had an effective interior space of about 15 cubic meters, which met living and working demands of three astronauts.

Designed for a life of two-years, the platform performed for four and a half-year in orbit. Many technical tests were conducted there, which gained great experience for application and promotion of construction and operation of space labs and manned space achievements.

The rendezvous and docking of Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou VIII made China the third country to independently master the required technology.

(Executive editor: Zhang Tianyuan)