China in testing its first space laboratory module, the Tiangong-1, at the end of this week. The module will conduct docking experiments after entering orbit, the first step in China’s space station program.

The Tiangong-1 will remain in orbit for two years and will dock with China’s Shenzhou-8, -9 and -10 spacecrafts. Unmanned docking procedures will be an essential step toward China achieving its goal of establishing a manned space station around 2020.