BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of China's key technology news from the past week:

NEW GENERATION LAUNCH VEHICLE

Space engineers have made a key step in designing a new generation launch vehicle that could help start China's manned lunar exploration program, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

A pre-study for the carrier rocket, conducted by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) under the CASC, has passed a review by the China Manned Space Agency.

The research, started in 2017, has produced an initial blueprint for the rocket, which will be about 87 meters long and have a takeoff weight of about 2,200 tonnes.

EXPECTATION ON MANNED LUNAR MISSION

Chinese first astronaut Yang Liwei said he was looking forward to setting foot on the moon.

He made the remarks at the 16th anniversary of his flying into space aboard the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft on Oct. 15, 2003.

"China has started to develop the key technologies related to manned lunar landing. It would be exciting to see Chinese astronauts stepping onto the extraterrestrial object," Yang said.

PREPARATION FOR SPACE STATION

China is preparing for the upcoming high-density space missions to construct China's space station, and the Long March-5B carrier rocket, set to launch capsules for the space station, is expected to make its maiden flight in 2020.

3D-PRINTED BRIDGE

A 3D-printed concrete bridge modeled on a 1,400-year-old stone arch bridge has been unveiled in northern China's Tianjin Municipality.

The 3D-printed structure was created by a research team led by Professor Ma Guowei from the Hebei University of Technology. Enditem

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