As China's ambitious space program is developing at an unprecedented rate, its space station, which is likely to become an outpost for other nations' spacecraft, is predicted to be completed by 2022. 

Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut to travel into space who is also the deputy director of China's Manned Space Engineering Office, says that spacecraft that include the Tiangong 2 space lab, Tianzhou cargo spacecraft, and Changzheng 7 carrier rockets will now be entering into crucial preparation stages. 

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Ground facilities have been in the works and will set the stage for the much anticipated launch in 2016. Tests for the core module along with two experiment modules will make up the foundation of this 60-ton space station.The Hainan launching site, where countdown begins for takeoff, is now complete.

Yang also added that their three-step strategy includes the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft and Tianzhou One cargo spacecraft docking with the Tiangong 2 space lab after launch in 2016. 

The test module will be launched in 2018 to further test the technology. By 2022, they are expected to complete the construction of the whole space outpost. 

Yang also adds that this will not only serve as a national-level space project outpost for China but it also is open to all space faring nations, especially developing countries that may have an interest in space technology.

China plans to launch its future space station on a global scale, and will take advantage of this year's Association of Space Explorers space congress, which is going to be held in China for the first time, to promote collective cooperation leading to human space efforts.

According to said Dr. Dumitru Dorin Prunariu, Chairman of 27th Plenary Meeting of Association of Space Explorers‍, one of the goals of this congress is to generate an interest among the younger generation towards science, space and technology. 

The first batch of Chinese astronauts will soon enter their retirement, while a considerable number of new recruits, including several women, will soon begin training. China is also planning to offer space training for astronauts from other countries.

TagsChina's Space Station to be Ready by 2022, china space station, Manned Space Engineering Office, yang liwei, Association of Space Explorers, space congress china