China launches first module for space station

China has successfully launched an experimental module to lay the groundwork for a future space station, underscoring its ambitions to become a major space power.

Thursday's launch brings the growing Asian power closer to matching the US and Russia and comes at a time when budget restraints and shifting priorities have held back US manned space launches.

Al Jazeera's Andy Gallagher reports on how this will affect the US' own efforts.