BEIJING - China plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong-1, which is expected to accomplish the country's first space docking, next year, an expert said on Wednesday.

Tiangong, which means Heavenly Palace, would finally be transformed into a manned space lab after experimental dockings with three Shenzhou spacecraft, expected to be put into space within two years following the module's launch, Qi Faren, former chief designer of Shenzhou spaceships and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said on Wednesday.

A spokesman of China's space program said in February last year that the country had planned to launch the unmanned module into orbit as early as the end of 2010. Qi said the delay was due to technical reasons.