With China's first manned space mission just months away, a senior Chinese scientist has predicted that a successful result could lead to launching an outer space laboratory among other things.

The day when Chinese astronauts take to outer space is not far away, according to a key engineer in charge of
China's manned space programme, a media report said.

The engineer, who spoke anonymously, said he was confident that China's long-cherished bid of manned space
flights would be realised soon. But he did not say when these flights would be conducted.

China's official media has reported that the first  manned flight could occur in the second half of this year.

The engineer said such an achievement [sending manned spacecraft to outer space]  would lead to more breakthroughs,
like launching an outer space laboratory and then setting up a space station with permanent staff members.

He said the successful voyage of China's fourth unmanned spacecraft 'Shenzhou IV' bore out his convictions, since it
provided a major boost to China's manned space programme.

The 'Shenzhou IV' mission was widely seen as the final dress rehearsal before China joins the US and Russia in
becoming the third nation in the world to independently launch a human into space.