China's Space Lab Burns Up Over South Pacific

China's first space lab has re-entered the atmosphere over the South Pacific, breaking up into pieces as it fell out of orbit.

Most of the eight-tonne Tiangong-1 burnt up above the vast ocean's central region around 8am Hong Kong time, China's Manned Space Engineering Office said.

Officials had stressed that the craft was highly unlikely to cause any damage when it returned, saying its disintegration will offer a show akin to a meteor shower.

The European Space Agency had indicated earlier that the Tiangong-1 was likely to break up over water, which covers most of the planet's surface.

It described the probability of someone being hit by a piece of debris as "10 million times smaller than the yearly chance of being hit by lightning".

Tiangong-1 - or "Heavenly Palace" - was sent into orbit in September 2011, an important step in China's efforts towards building its own space station.

The module - which was used to practise complicated docking techniques - was originally intended to be used for just two years, but ended up serving considerably longer.

During its brief lifespan, it hosted astronauts on several occasions as they performed experiments and even taught a class that was broadcast into schools across the country. (AFP)