China, Friday, launched one of the world’s most powerful rockets in a major step forward for its planned mission to Mars in 2020. “After more than 2,000 seconds, the Shijian 20 satellite was sent into its predetermined orbit,” the official Xinhua news agency reported. The successful launch is a key part of China’s ambitious plans for a mission to the Red Planet next year and hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022. China also aims to have a manned space station in orbit in 2022. The Tiangong — or “Heavenly Palace” — is set to replace the International Space Station, which is due to be retired in 2024.

Source: Punch December 27, 2019 19:07 UTC