China's space station, expected to be completed around 2022, will operate in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 340-450 km above Earth's surface for more than 10 years, supporting worldwide scientific and technological experiments.

The T-shape station has one core module at the center and a lab capsule on each side. Each of the modules will weigh over 20 tonnes, with the total mass of the station expected to weigh about 66 tonnes.

Graphics: China marches a step closer to its future space station