More sophisticated

Experts specifically focused on the characteristics of China's Tianzhou 1 cargo resupply spacecraft, which they said are much more sophisticated as compared to those of the US cargo spaceships Cygnus and Dragon.

An "outstanding event" for the international space sector

Zheleznyakov (Alexander Zheleznyakov of the Russian Academy of Astronautics) praised the launch of Tianzhou 1 as a "big step" for Chinese astronautics, especially in terms of implementing the program to create a national orbiting space station and as an "outstanding event" for the international space sector.

"We witness the emergence of another major player, who will start to deal with cosmic research with the help of orbital space stations, like the ISS. China joining this club will contribute to the development of world cosmonautics in general," he said.

-- Sputnik