Full-size model of China's core space station module debuts in Zhuhai

ZHUHAI -- A full-size model of the core module of China's space station Tianhe made its debut on Tuesday at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

The core module will mainly serve as the control and management aspect of the space station and for the astronauts' living conditions. It will have autonomous flight capability, support the astronauts' long-time stay in outer space and help them conduct experiments concerning aerospace medicine and space science.

The in-orbit construction of the space station is expected to be completed around 2022. It will be the country's space lab in long-term stable in-orbit operation.

The space station will consist of a core module and two experimental modules, each weighing about 20 tonnes. It will accommodate three to six astronauts.

The designed lifespan of the space station is no less than 10 years, which can be extended by maintenance and repair work.

The space station can be used to conduct space biology research and help cultivate fine species, probing disease mechanisms and biological medicine in order to improve people's health conditions.