The core module of China’s space station is currently under test and is expected to be launched in 2018, said an official from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Bao Weimin, a member of 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and head of Science and Technology Committee of CASC, told Xinhua news agency shared the information on Thursday, ahead of the annual session of the political advisory body.

Bao added the assembly of the core module had already been completed in 2016.

According to Bao, scientists have put a lot of emphasis on the maintainability and repairability of the modules during the designing work, as the space station might encounter many debris during decades of operation.

The modules will be able to evade large pieces of debris while bearing the strikes of small pieces measuring within 10 centimeters in their diameters, said Bao, adding that all the equipment within the cabin will be able to be dismantled and replaced.

“We will also make sure that the core parts such as the solar batteries are able to be replaced, to reducing the harms caused by the space debris,” said Bao.

The life-support system is also renewable, under which the vapors breathed out and the urine of the astronauts will be recycled within the station.

Bao revealed that the core module which is scheduled to be launched in 2018 will be the first part of the space station. There will be dozens of launches afterwards, including that of the two experimental modules.

If everything goes on well, the space station will be completed around 2022, Bao said.