China plans to launch an unmanned space module into orbit as early as the end of 2010.

It is expected to meet with another unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou-8, which is scheduled to be launched in early 2011. It would be the country's first space docking.

A spokesman with China's space program said on Saturday that scientists on the ground would control the space docking between the orbiter and the unmanned spaceship.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2009)