The Hubble telescope. (File photo)

Along with the construction of a space station, China also plans to launch an independent optical facility in the coming years, the function of which will be similar to the Hubble telescope. The field of view of the optical cabin will be 300 times as large as that of the Hubble, and the cabin will be connected with the space station, said Gu Yidong, technology consultant of China's manned space flight project and academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

"Currently, China has planned a series of scientific research platforms and facilities for the space station. The optical cabin is the biggest confirmed project so far," Gu Yidong explained. The caliber of the telescope is about 2 meters, and its resolution is near that of the Hubble. The optical cabin will conduct heterochromatic photometry and slitless spectroscopy sky surveys. 

According to Gu, the optical cabin will boast an unprecedented observational depth and resolution. The cabin will stay in orbit with the space station, and will connect to the station when it needs maintenance or upgrades. 

China’s space station is expected to be completed in 2020. It will be used for a wide variety of scientific research.