“This is a challenge for Chinese aerospace engineers. These missions are large and technically demanding. Controlling the disposition and orbit of the two link-up spacecrafts is extremely complicated,” Tong added, “China’s prior manned spacecraft flights were concluded in a few days. Tiangong-1 however will stay in outer space for two years, during which it is supposed to complete several docking missions. Controlling the craft for this extended period becomes a big issue.”

He notes that in the next 10 years, China plans scores of scientific experiments in the space laboratory to look for possible solutions to food safety, climate change, and a number of other issues confronting humanity. It is estimated that by 2020 more than 20 manned space missions will have been undertaken.

Wu Ping, spokeswoman for the China Manned Space Engineering Project, announced of the expected rendezvous and docking tests with Tiangong-1 to be carried out by Shenzhou-9 and 10 in 2012, at least one of them will be a manned flight. Several astronauts, including two women, have passed the preliminary selection for this mission. They are currently receiving intensive training on relevant techniques.

One German newspaper reported that the successful docking of Shenzhou-8 and Tiangong-1 marks a milestone in China’s space project. Moreover, China’s ultimate goal of constructing a space station of its own by 2020 means that from that year on, the only functioning space station orbiting the Earth will be Chinese. China will need to develop techniques to master its long-term operation and maintenance.