| module_image_caption = A model of [[Tiangong-2]], the prototype for the LCMs
| NSSDC_ID =
| launch = 2324 July 2022: ''Wentian'' <br/> October 2022: ''Mengtian''
| launch_vehicle = [[Long March 5B]]
| docked =
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The '''Laboratory Cabin Module''' ('''LCM''') ({{zh |s = 实验舱 }}) is a modular component of the [[Tiangong space station]]. Based on the [[Tiangong-2]] experimental space module, the LCMs complete the [[Tiangong program#Tiangong space station|third and final stage]] of [[Project 921]], the [[CNSA]]'s program to establish a permanent Chinese space station. While China's small unmanned spacecraft can provide platforms for zero gravity and exposure to space for scientific research, the LCMs offer a long term environment combined with ready access by human researchers over periods that far exceed the capabilities of [[Shenzhou spacecraft]]. Operations will be controlled from the [[Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center]] in [[China]].
The first two LCMs scheduled to launch are '''''[[Wentian module|Wentian]]''''' on 2324 July 2022 and '''''[[Mengtian module|Mengtian]]''''' ({{zh|s=梦天|t=夢天|p=Mèng Tiān|l=Dreaming of the Heavens<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201804/26/WS5ae12347a3105cdcf651a87b.html|title=Planned space station details made public|quote=The two space labs, Wentian, or Quest for Heavens, and Mengtian, or Dreaming of Heavens|date=2018-04-26|work=[[China Daily]]}}</ref>}}) around October 2022.<ref name="sn-20220531">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/rocket-to-launch-chinas-next-space-station-module-arrives-at-launch-center/ |title=Rocket to launch China's next space station module arrives at launch center |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=31 May 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
==Purpose==
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==Launch==
Both modules are due for launch in 2022 on [[Long March 5B]] launch vehicles from [[Wenchang Satellite Launch Center]]. ''Wentian'' is scheduled to launch on 2324 July 2022, while ''Mengtian'' is scheduled to launch in October.<ref name="sn-20220531" /> They will be inserted into a [[low Earth orbit]] with an average altitude of {{convert|393|km|mi|abbr=on}} at an [[orbital inclination]] of 42 degrees, centered in the Earth's [[thermosphere]].<ref name="nsf-20210301">{{cite web |last=Barbosa |first=Rui C. |date=1 March 2021 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/03/china-preparing-to-build-tiangong-station-in-2021-complete-by-2022/ |title=China preparing to build Tiangong station in 2021, complete by 2022 |website=[[NASASpaceFlight.com]] |accessdate=15 March 2021}}</ref><ref name=LCM>{{cite web |last=David |first=Leonard |url=https://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html |title=China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals |work=[[Space.com]] |date=7 March 2011 |access-date=23 February 2012}}</ref>
