China successfully launches Shenzhou-X spacecraft
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The Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying China's manned Shenzhou-X spacecraft blasts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu province, June 11, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua] |
China successfully launched its fifth manned spacecraft on Tuesday afternoon, announced Zhang Youxia, chief commander of China's manned space program.
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 and then entered its designated orbit.
Three astronauts, two male and one female, are aboard the spacecraft.