China successfully launches Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship blasted off from the Gobi Desert on a Long March 2F carrier rocket at around 11:44 p.m.

Rising majestically with the moon in the background, the rocket carried three astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station orbiting the Earth.

A send-off ceremony for the crew was held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center before lift-off.

They would take control of the Tiangong space station and stay in orbit for around six months.

The outgoing Shenzhou-20 crew is due to return on November 3rd.