China launched its first space laboratory module Thursday, called Tiangong-1, or “Heavenly Palace,” giving the country its first foothold in space, Bloomberg reports.



Computer-generated images of the Tiangong-1 space module show it docking in space. (Image via CCTV on YouTube)

But the made-for-TV moment was somewhat spoiled when China’s state-run broadcaster CCTV mistakenly broadcast a video about the space program to the tune of “America the Beautiful.”

Just as computer-generated images showed what the Tiangong-1 space module would look like as it docked safely in space, America’s alternate national anthem swelled to its peak.

While CCTV hasn’t explained the odd choice, the station has now reposted the video without the music.

English-language Chinese station New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Television speculates that because the track did not have lyrics, “a mix up by a CCTV employee who did not know the meaning of the song is a plausible explanation.”

Watch the original video, captured by NTDTV before it was taken down, below:

(Via Geekosystem.)