Article Posted on : - Jul 13, 2011

The Tianlian I-02 satellite blasts off on board the Long March-3C rocket.

BEIJING (BNS): Ahead of its planned launch of an unmanned space module, China has put in orbit a data relay satellite that will help in improving communications network for space dockings.

The Tianlian I-02, the second data relay satellite of China, was launched by a Long March-3C carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan province on Monday.

The spacecraft, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, will be used to relay data to Chinese spacecraft and planned space stations.

It will join Tianlian I-01 – the first data relay satellite launched in April 2008 – in performing China’s first space docking scheduled for later this year, state media reports said.

The two satellites will form a network to bolster communications between China's spacecraft and bases on Earth.

China has unveiled the blueprint of its space station that it plans to put in orbit by 2020 for future manned missions.

Before orbiting the space station, the country intends to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong-1, to conduct docking tests. The Tiangong-1 is scheduled for launch later this year.

Authorities working on the manned space programme also aim to develop a cargo spacecraft that will deliver supplies to the Chinese space station.

Launch of an unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou-8, followed by manned spacecraft Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 have also been scheduled for 2012.