NEW : China launches the space lab module Tiangong-1 , which means `` heavenly palace '' in Chinese . The name is a reference to the ancient capital of China, Beijing ( or Xian ) and its famous Forbidden City. China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003 , part of a `` three-step '' strategy to develop a space station .
NEW : China launches the space lab module Tiangong-1 , which means `` heavenly palace '' in Chinese . The 8.5-ton module is part of an experiment to test space rendezvous and docking capabilities . China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003 , part of a `` three-step '' strategy to develop a space station .