China launches Shenzhou X manned spacecraft with three astronauts.
Shenzhou X and three astronauts blasted off into a clear blue sky on Tuesday, bringing the nation one step closer to setting up its own space station in 2020. President Xi shares his joy with space program staff Timeline of China's manned space program
Ten years after China sent its first man into low earth orbit, three astronauts operating the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft started a journey on a mission which seeks a permanent space station around 2020.
The expectation within Ji Shisan grew stronger and stronger as he waited for the launch of the Shenzhou-X spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert of northwest China.
Shenzhou-X, atop an upgraded Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in NW China at 5:38 pm Tuesday.
Enthusiasts dream big after Shenzhou-X
President Xi voices congratulations
Tiangong-1 PhotosAstronauts:Nie Haisheng,Zhang Xiaoguang,Wang Yaping
Shenzhou-X, atop an upgraded Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday.
Spacecraft enters designated orbit
President Xi voices congratulations
Tiangong-1 PhotosAstronauts:Nie Haisheng,Zhang Xiaoguang,Wang Yaping
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday voiced congratulations on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
China's Shenzhou-X spacecraft, with three astronauts on board, entered its designated orbit on Tuesday afternoon.
China successfully launched its fifth manned spacecraft on Tuesday afternoon, announced Zhang Youxia, chief commander of China's manned space program.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at the Shenzhou-X manned spacecraft launch center in northwest China's Jiuquan on Tuesday to observe the mission.
Commemorative stamps with the portraits of Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping are issued at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Northwest China's Gansu province, June 10, 2013.
Two more Chinese astronauts will realize their dream of going to space under the guidance of a veteran astronaut in the Shenzhou-X mission on Tuesday.
The Shenzhou-X spacecraft was launched at 5:38 pm on Tuesday, sending two men and a woman into space on a mission that will lay the foundation for building a space station.
Spacecraft enters designated orbit
President Xi voices congratulations
Tiangong-1 Photos Astronauts: Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang, Wang Yaping