China Unveils Space Station: Smaller Than ISS, Plans to Launch by 2020

The China Manned Space Engineering Office unveiled the first model of its planned space station this week, something that it hopes to take out into the black by 2020. At a mere 60 tons, the entire facility is much smaller than the International Space Station, which weighs in at 419 tons. Currently, the Chinese space station is named Tiangong, which translates to “heavenly palace,” though the space agency is taking suggestions on names up until July 25, which can be emailed to [email protected]. I wonder if Stephen Colbert knows they’re taking suggestions.

(Xinhua via Engadget)