China launches crewed Shenzhou-12 mission to test core component of its future space station

A rocket carrying

A rocket carrying the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts on board has blasted off from China’s Inner Mongolia in a historic launch that is critical for the completion of the country’s own space station.

China’s Long March 2F took off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China at 9.22am local time on Thursday (1:22am GMT). The launch, broadcast live by Chinese state media, will send the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft with three astronauts on the country’s longest manned mission to date and its first crewed mission in five years.

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