The evening of September 29, 2011, China launched (发射) its first space lab module Tiangong-1 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.

    President Hu Jintao praised the success of China's first space lab module Tiangong-1, and shook hands with the staff of the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center.

    Premier Wen Jiabao and He Guoqiang also shook hands with the staff at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to congratulate on the success.

    Tiangong-1, which is plannedtoconnect with the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft later this year, will get ready for building China's first space station.

    During its two-year service life, Tiangong-1 will mainly carry on four tasks, such as experiments ofautonomous rendezvous(自主交会) and connection with the Shenzhou-8, -9, and -10 spacecrafts in the coming launches, which is going to set up the country's first space lab, according to Wu Ping, spokesperson for China's National Space Administration.

    According to the plan for China's manned space program, the Shenzhou-10 will be a manned spacecraft that is going to carry a female Chinese astronaut.

    Tiangong-1 is expected to become China's first space laboratory when it connects to the above mentioned spaceships.