(XINHUA)

China plans to launch its unmanned space module, Tiangong 1 (Heavenly Palace 1), between September 27 and 30, paving the way for a planned space station.

The 8.5-ton space vehicle will dock with the unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft, which will be sent into space at a later date, performing China's first space-docking procedure.

Chinese scientists plan to test long-term unmanned operations and temporarily-manned operations of a space station, as well as carry out medical and technical experiments aboard the Tiangong 1. In 2012, the Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 spacecraft will blast off to complete at least one manned docking. Technical and medical experiments will provide crucial data ahead of the building of the space station scheduled for 2020.