The Facts

• China Wednesday successfully launched its six-month Shenzhou-19 manned mission carrying its three taikonauts (astronauts) to its Tiangong space station. Its rocket, Long March-2F Y19, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China at 4.27am Beijing time.

• China called the Shenzhou 19 launch a "complete success." The crew includes its first female space engineer Wang Haoze, alongside pilot Cai Xuzhe and fellow rookie Song Lingdong, a former air force pilot. Chinese state media said this is China's “youngest crew” to go to space.

• Thirty-four-year-old Wang is reportedly an expert in nuclear-powered rocket technology, unlike China's first two female astronauts, Liu Yang and Wang Yaping, who were air force pilots. She said she wanted to "meticulously complete each task and protect our home in space."