Airshow China 2018: Chinese space station module makes public debut

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And the public caught its first glimpse of the core of China's manned space station program. Airshow China 2018 hosted the debut of the 'Tianhe'. CGTN's Sun Ye has more from Zhuhai.

The must-see attraction at the nation's biggest air show. The core module of China's space station, "Tianhe", or "harmony of the heavens", is here in its full size. A life-size model of the real thing, it will be where spacecraft dock at the station.

WANG XIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF SPACE STATION, NO.5 RESEARCH CENTER, CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CORP. "We have now stepped fully into the age of the space station. Around 2022, construction of the whole space station will be complete."

The Tianhe will serve as the station's control and management center. It will be the main venue where astronauts go about their business.

SUN YE ZHUHAI "We are not allowed into the module right now. But the inside, still being refined, holds the secret of China's future space station."

Wang Xin, deputy director of the program calls it 'a cozy 3 room apartment'. He says being able to showcase the cabin to the public means a lot.

WANG XIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF SPACE STATION, NO.5 RESEARCH CENTER, CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CORP. "The Chinese space station will help solve many problems in space-related science. It's certainly a big step in manned space mission."

Something worth coming to see for onlookers.

YAO NA "I came all the way from Shanghai and the module tops my list. Seeing it, I can't help but feel really proud of what the country has done in space."

LINCOLN HINES "This is amazing as it gives a sense of where China is going and all that it is capable of accomplishing."

A rare glimpse before the 22 ton body goes deep into space. SY, CGTN, ZHUHAI.