天宫二号准备对接神州11号

Hours after Tiangong-2 was successfully launched, the space lab conducted its first transfer of orbit at 2:45 am Beijing time on Friday morning.

In the meantime, it has also started in-orbit tests, which are a series of examinations on the functions of the lab.

The lab is being tested on its communication system, its mechanism to physically connect with spacecraft, its capability to adapt to a changing external environment, and other important functions.

The second transfer of orbit was conducted on Friday afternoon, sending the lab to a round orbit 380 kilometers away from the ground.

In comparison with its predecessor Tiangong-1, Tiangong-2 is orbiting further from the Earth.

Sun Jun, deputy chief engineer at Beijing Aerospace Control Center, which is responsible for the space lab after its launch, says a higher orbit for Tiangong-2 has a long-term purpose.

"Tiangong-2's orbit is nearly 50 kilometers higher than that of Tiangong-1. At such an altitude, the resistance from the atmosphere is much less. So it means less resources will be needed to keep the space lab running. This is what is needed by the planned Chinese space station in the future. A higher orbit is mainly designed to test the technologies which will be applied by the space station in the future."

It's been announced that the orbit of Tiangong-2 will be adjusted again to an altitude of more than 390 kilometers before the launch of the manned spacecraft Shenzhou-11 in October.

Shenzhou-11, which will connect with Tiangong-2, is China's sixth manned spaceflight mission.

Two male astronauts are expected to spend 33 days in outer space, the longest-ever stay for Chinese astronauts.

30 days of that time will be spent on Tiangong-2 where the two astronauts will be conducting a total of 14 scientific experiments.

The remaining 3 days will be used for independent flight outside the space lab.

Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut to travel to space back in 2003, now the deputy head of China's manned space authority, says potential astronauts for the mission are well-prepared at this point.

"As for the training of astronauts, everything is going well. The two crews of astronauts are busy with their preparations. They are currently going through a final-stage, closed-door intensive training program before taking on the flight. The preparation looks great in every way. Our astronauts are in good shape both mentally and physically. They're wrapping up the preparation program. I believe they will have an excellent performance in the upcoming mission."

It's been revealed that the actual astronauts to take the mission will remain a secret until the day before the flight.

Tiangong-2 and Shenzhou-11 are part of China's ambitious plan to build its own space station by around 2020.

China has been barred from participating in the International Space Station, mainly due to objections on the part of the US.

For CRI, this is Ding Heng.