China prepares for space launch

China is preparing to launch The Heavenly Palace, an experimental unmanned spacecraft, next week.

The module will form the basis for China's own space station, and will joined by two more modules in the coming years. Analysts say the space station could be operational by the year 2020.

China is not part of the group that operates the International Space Station, which includes the United States, Russia, and 13 other countries.

Al Jazeera's Anu Nathan reports.