Space program advances in heavens and on Earth

Astronauts enter high-tech lab on national TV while scientists start shaping future

As two Chinese astronauts peered into the heavens from the Tiangong II space lab they docked with early Wednesday, Chinese rocket scientists on the ground said they are looking into ways to shape the future of the nation's space market.

When the astronauts left their "divine vessel", Shenzhou XI, and entered the newest high-tech "heavenly palace" floating above Earth early on Wednesday, it was one for the history books.