Chinese Spacecraft Shenzhou-8 Disengages from Space Lab Module Tiangong-1

China's Shenzhou-8 unmanned spacecraft successfully disengaged from the space lab module Tiangong-1 Monday evening after a 12-day flight together.

The two spacecraft are set to dock again soon, according to the mission's control center.

The Shenzhou-8, launched on Nov. 1, rendezvoused and docked two days later with the already-in-orbit Tiangong-1 module, completing China's first space-docking.

Tiangong-1 has been in orbit since its launch on Sept. 29.

The docking mechanism, composed of up to 10,000 parts, and the more than 600 instruments aboard Shenzhou-8 were all developed and made by China, according to Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space program, at a previous press conference.