The missions will cover a variety of projects including manned spacecraft Shenzhou-11, China's satellite navigation system as well as satellites for civilian¹ and commercial use.

 

The Tiangong-2 space lab will also be launched, with the Shenzhou-11 spaceship set to dock with it.

 

Lei Fanpei, director of China Aerospace² Science and Industry Corporation, said that the successful launch of Tiangong-2 will mark a new era of progress for China's efforts in space.

 

"The mission will mainly focus on the docking technology. Compared to Tiangong-1 space lab module³, Tiangong-2 space lab has more advantages on data transmission, as well as better conditions for doing experiments."

 

Earlier in 2012, 3 Chinese astronauts successfully completed a manual docking between the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and the orbiting Tiangong-1 lab module.

 

China is also set to send two new models of carrier rockets in the Long March series on their maiden⁴ space trips.

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