Editing Chinese space program (section)

====Space station====
{{Main|Tiangong Space Station|Tiangong program}}

A larger basic permanent space station (基本型空间站) would be the third and last phase of Project 921. This will be a modular design with an eventual weight of around 60 tons, to be completed sometime before 2022. The first section, designated [[Tiangong 3]], was scheduled for launch after Tiangong 2,<ref name=sdc20110307>
{{cite news |last1=David|first1=Leonard |title=China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals |url=http://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html |access-date=2011-03-09 |newspaper=SPACE.com |date=2011-03-11 |quote=China is ready to carry out a multiphase construction program that leads to the large space station around 2020. As a prelude to building that facility, China is set to loft the Tiangong-1 module this year as a platform to help master key rendezvous and docking technologies.}}</ref> but ultimately not ordered after its goals were merged with Tiangong 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmse.gov.cn/art/2016/4/28/art_18_27619.html|title=脚踏实地，仰望星空—访中国载人航天工程总设计师周建平|publisher=Chinese Government|access-date=2017-04-22}}</ref>

This could also be the beginning of China's crewed international cooperation, the existence of which was officially disclosed for the first time after the launch of Shenzhou 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/26/content_10114727.htm|title=权威发布:神舟飞船将从神八开始批量生产|publisher=[[新华网]]|date=2008-09-26|access-date=September 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929025036/http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/26/content_10114727.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2008}}</ref>

The first module of [[Tiangong space station]], [[Tianhe (space station module)|''Tianhe'' core module]], was launched on 29 April 2021, from Wenchang Space Launch Site.<ref name="Tianhe-launch" /> It was first visited by [[Shenzhou 12]] crew on 17 June 2021. The Chinese space station is scheduled to be completed in 2022<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c863c828-e37c-11e0-8f47-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1YScsPtqK |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210211240/https://www.ft.com/content/c863c828-e37c-11e0-8f47-00144feabdc0#axzz1YScsPtqK |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=China takes first step towards space station |newspaper=Financial Times |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=September 20, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and fully operational by 2023.