China on October 16 launched the crewed spaceship Shenzhou-13 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest Chinas Gobi Desert， sending three astronauts to its space station core module Tianhe for a six-month mission.

It is the 21st flight mission since the countrys manned space program was approved and initiated， and the second crewed mission for Chinas space station project.

The three astronauts are Zhai Zhigang， the commander and Chinas first spacewalker， Wang Yaping， the first Chinese female astronaut to visit Chinas space station and carry out extravehicular activities， and Ye Guangfu， a newcomer to space.

They are expected to set a new record for Chinas manned space mission duration， exceeding the three months kept by the Shenzhou-12 crew from June to September this year.

Their assignments include operating mechanical arms， performing extravehicular activities， and having module transfer tests. They are also expected to verify key technologies concerning astronauts long-term stay in orbit， as well as recycle and life support.