Current Affairs - International - Discussion

With a lifespan of roughly 10 years, China's Tiangong space station, otherwise known as Heavenly Palace is set to become the replacement of the International Space Station, which is due to retire in 2024. Three astronauts will be permanently stationed in the 60-tonne orbiting lab, which will enable the crew to conduct biological and microgravity research. The International Space Station (ISS) - a collaboration between the United States, Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan - has been in operation since 1998, but is due to be retired in 2024. China will then have the only space station in orbit, though it will be much smaller than the ISS which weighs 400 tonnes and is as large as a football pitch.