Space station flight set for first half of 2020

Steady progress: A full-size model of the core module of the space station Tianhe being exhibited at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, last year. — Xinhua

Beijing: The Long March 5B carrier rocket is expected to make its maiden flight in the first half of 2020, according to Zhou Jianping, chief designer of the nation’s manned space programme.

The flight will also be the first of China’s manned space station mission.