China successfully launches Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship

China launched its Shenzhou-20 mission with three astronauts to the Tiangong space station late Thursday afternoon.

This latest mission marks the nation's 15th manned spaceflight.

About seven hours after liftoff the rocket docked at the space station.

The three astronauts on board will spend six months at the station conducting spacewalks and field experiments.

They will replace the Shenzhou-19 crew members who have been at the station for one-hundred-75 days and are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29th.