The day after the successful end of the Chang’e-1  lunar probe, a legendary Chinese space designer has revealed precise plans regarding the step-by-step deployment leading to a  Chinese space station.

According to Qi Faren, the 76-year-old designer of the prototype Shenzhou manned modules, next up for China is the pre-2011 launch of the Tiangong I, a test docking module for an eventual space station.

Qi revealed that the 8.5-ton module will provide a habitat for astronauts from Shenzhou IX and Shenzhou X to live and conduct research. Before that can happen, however, Qi explained how an unmanned Shenzhou VIII will dock with the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) I. If all goes well, then the Tiangong I will serve as a man-tended facility for the next several years.

Qi’s depiction of the core module, with one or two add-on research modules, plus a cargo ship and the manned Shenzhou, mimics the careful evolution of the Soviet space-station program as it evolved during the Salyut era. The Russians also grew their “space legs” over a multi-year period, making sure they understood each critical component required for long-duration stays

Why the announcement from Beijing now? One answer is that the end of their first lunar mission is a perfect moment to detail far more ambitious plans. But I think that could well be an incorrect explanation.

As in every space program, the Chinese unmanned and manned efforts are distinct. Instead, it may well be a careful signal that now is the time to engage on cooperation over the International Space Station. In a year or so, it may be too late to invite China onto the ISS, and China's own requirements may be too onerous for the ISS partnership

Anyone at NASA listening?