China is launching its first space laboratory module at the end of the week, with final preparations for the Tiangong-1 spacecraft launch in full swing.

The unmanned module is to be launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Thursday or Friday, barring any complications. The launch was originally set for Tuesday, but was called off for weather reasons.

If successful the rocket launch will mark China's first rendezvous and docking mission.

"This is a significant test. We've never done such a thing before," said Lu Jinrong, the launch center's chief engineer was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

A full ground simulation was conducted on Sunday to ensure the mission's readiness. Space experts are concerned because Tiangong-1 and much of the other equipment is new and has never been used on actual mission.

Tiangong "is bigger and heavier than the Shenzhou spaceships China had developed as a means of transporting astronauts from the Earth to space," said Yang Hong, its chief designer.

Just a month ago, a Long March carrier 2C rocket malfunctioned and failed to send an experimental satellite into orbit. The Tiangong-1 mission was later rescheduled to allow engineers more time to fix any problems.

The Tingong-1 stands 10.4 meters tall and weighs 8.5 tons. It is composed of two modules, one of which will eventually house astronauts.

The Tiangong-1 is expected to stay in orbit for two years. It will dock with China's other spacecraft, the Shenzhou-8,-9 and -10. Completing unmanned docking procedures is necessary for China's plans of establishing a manned space station around 2020.