China today launched its fifth manned spacecraft, carrying three astronauts including a woman, on a 15-day mission to dock with a space lab.
Shenzhou-10 spacecraft was blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on a Long March rocket, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Shenzhou-10 is China's fifth manned space mission.
Wang Yaping, 35, the second Chinese woman to go into space after Liu Yang last year, was onboard while the mission is being commanded by Nie Haisheng. Zhang Xiaoguang is the other crew member.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a see-off ceremony for the three astronauts.
"On behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, the Central Military Commission, as well as people of all ethnic backgrounds across the country, I'm here to see you off," said Xi, who is also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party.
