Nation expects to complete space station by 2023

China will complete its first space station within 10 years and be able to send crews of up to six people for short-term missions, according to the 64th International Astronautical Congress.

At the congress, which has been held annually since 1950, China released a host of details about its space station to around 3,600 delegates from all over the world.

"Room in the station will be no less than 60 square meters, which is enough for astronauts to move freely," said Xu Dazhe, general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, at the five-day event that began on Monday in Beijing.