Article Posted on : - Sep 02, 2011

An artistic illustration of China's first space station module Tiangong-1. Photo: China Manned Space Engineering Office.

BEIJING (BNS): China has rescheduled the launch of its spacecraft Tiangong-1 due to a satellite launch failure last month, according to manned space program spokesman.

The launch was delayed based on the fact that the carrier rocket Long-March II-F, which would be used for the upcoming launch, belongs to the same series of launch vehicles, China Daily reported.

The exact date will depend on the results of the investigation into the failed satellite, the spokesman was quoted as saying.

In August China launched the experimental Orbiter SJ-11-04, propelled by a Long March II-C rocket, but it was unable to complete its mission reportedly due to a malfunction of the rocket.

Tiangong 1, which means "Heavenly Palace” is the name of the first Chinese unmanned space module. The spacecraft will dock with the unmanned Shenzhou-8 spacecraft, which will be sent into space after the Tiangong-1's launch.