The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation launched its Shenzhou 17 mission Thursday morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. Prior to the launch an official ceremony was held to wish the 3 Taikonauts a safe journey. After the ceremony, they entered the spacecraft and got ready for the journey to the Tiangong Space Station. The launch commenced at 11:14 am Local time in Juiquan. Abput 6 and 1/2 hours later, the Shenzhou 17 spacecraft docked successfully with the Tiangong space station and the 17 crew boarded the Tianhe module where they will spend the next 6 months conducting experiments and research. The Shenzhou 17 3 Taikonauts are the youngest crew yet to visit Tiangong and will replace the 3 Shenzhou 16 crew members who will be returning to earth on Oct 30th.

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