Tiangong-1 is the first space lab of China, scheduled to be launched in September 2011.
It is prelude to a multiphase construction programme (Tiangong programme, or Project 921-2 ) aimed at building a large space station around 2020.
The Tiangong-1 (Heavenly Palace-1) unmanned space lab prototype is scheduled to blast off shortly as a test-bed for experiments related to space rendezvous.
Tiangong-1 is an eight-ton-class space lab prototype with a cylinder-shaped body and two docking ports on its ends.
