China says it plans to finish space station by end of year, make more than 40 launches

China will complete its orbital space station by the end of 2022 and will launch up to 40 space flights this year in a sign of the nation’s ongoing effort to lead exploration of the cosmos.The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced the anticipated completion of its space station, more crewed space missions and cargo flights this year, as well as the launch of the Space Launch System, a 332-foot rocket designed to reach the moon, according to the AP, citing Chinese state-run news media.The Tiangong space station, first launched last April, is China’s rival of the International…