China has taken a further step in its quest to become a major space power with the launch of an unmanned spacecraft.
The rocket carrying the Shenzhou Eight module blasted off from a launch site in the Gobi desert in northwestern China.
While the vessel is orbiting earth, Chinese scientists hope to practise docking with another module launched in September.
It would be the first time China has joined two space vehicles together.
The BBC reports that this capability is essential if China is to carry through with its plan to build a space station by about 2020.