The core module of China's space station is expected to be launched around 2018, and the space station will enter into full service around 2022, with an initial designed life of more than 10 years.

It will accommodate three to six astronauts, who will stay in space up to one year.

Tiangong-2 will remain operative in orbit following Shenzhou-11's return to Earth and will wait to dock with Tianzhou-1, China's first cargo spacecraft. Tianzhou-1 will be launched in the first half of 2017 to verify refueling technology, a key technology for any space station.

"The success of this mission demonstrates that China has acquired the capability to support long stays in space by astronauts," Huang Weifen, a deputy chief designer with the Astronaut Center of China, announced at a press conference Friday afternoon.

Some new key technologies to support long-term manned space missions were tested in orbit, Huang said.

For instance, a running exercise device -- crucial for long-term space lab missions -- was tested and will help guide future research and development.

Remote medical consultation system linking the space lab and space center on earth, medical ultrasound, and plant cultivation were also tested during the mission. Growing plants has proven to be a good and effective means for psychological adjustment, she added.

Moreover, the excellent performance by the astronauts verified the efficacy of China's astronaut recruitment and training systems, said Huang.

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