China has launched the second of the three main modules that will make up its planned space station, bringing Beijing a step closer to meeting the ambitious goal of having the orbiting outpost fully operational by the end of the year.
The 23-tonne laboratory module – called Wentian, which means “quest for the heavens” – was carried into space by China’s most powerful rocket, the Long March 5B, following a 2:22pm (6:22 GMT) launch aired live on the state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday.
