A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launches on the Shenzhou 9 mission, China's first manned space docking flight and first flight of a female astronaut, on June 16, 2012 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The three astronauts on China's Shenzhou 9 space capsule wave to cameras wearing broad smiles after reaching orbit on June 16, 2012, in this still from a CCTV broadcast.
China's Shenzhou 9 spacecrafts soars toward space atop a Long March 2F rocket on June 16, 2012, in this still from a state-run CCTV broadcast. The mission is China's first manned space docking flight and first flight of a female astronaut.
The crew of China's fourth human spaceflight Shenzhou 9 salutes officials after walking out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 16, 2012. The crew includes China's first woman astronaut liu Yang (left), veteran Jing Haipeng, and first-time flyer Liu Wang.
This spectacular view shows the rocket boosters separating as planned from China's Long March 2F rocket during the successful launch of Shenzhou 9 on June 16, 2012.
A Chinese Long March 2F rocket launches on the Shenzhou 9 mission, China's first manned space docking flight and first flight of a female astronaut, on June 16, 2012 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou 9 crew, the fourth human spaceflight for the country, wave to cheering supporters as they walk out to their Shenzhou 9 spacecraft before launching on June 16, 2012, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The crew is Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut (left); Jing Haipeng, mission commander (center);and Liu Wang.
China's three-person crew will test techniques for docking and inhabit the Tiangong space laboratory.
The crew of China's fourth human spaceflight Shenzhou 9 salutes officials after walking out to the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 16, 2012. The crew includes China's first woman astronaut liu Yang (left), veteran Jing Haipeng, and first-time flyer Liu Wang.
China's first female astronaut Liu Wang waves to supporters while clad in a spacesuit just before boarding the Shenzhou 9 space capsule for a successful June 19, 2012 launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
A Long March 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou 9 rocket blasts off the launch pad at China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June, 16 2012, to begin the country's first manned space docking mission, and first flight of a female astronaut.
China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft launches into space atop a Long March 2F rocket on June 16, 2012 carrying the country's first female astronaut.
China's first female astronaut Liu Wang waves to supporters while clad in a spacesuit just before boarding the Shenzhou 9 space capsule for a successful June 19, 2012 launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft stands poised for launch on June 16, 2012 in this still from a state-run CCTV broadcast. The three-person crew of Shenzhou 9 is seen at left, with Liu Yang - China's first female astronaut - visible at right of frame. Mission commander Jing Haipeng is at center, and Liu Wang at left.
China's astronauts Jing Haipeng (L), Liu Wang (R) and Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, make up the crew of the Shenzhou-9 manned docking mission.
China's Shenzhou 9 crew, from right, Jing Haipeng, Liu Yang and Liu Wang, wearing their mission's emblem during training.
China's first female astronaut Liu Yang, an Air Force major, salutes to reporters during a press conference on the eve of her June 16, 2012 launch with two crewmates on the Shenzhou 9 mission to the Tiangong 1 space lab.
The crew of China's Shenzhou-9 mission, set to launch in June 2012, waves. L to R, Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang.
The crew of China's Shenzhou 9 mission meets reporters for a press conference before launch on June 15, 2012 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. From left to right are: Liu Yang (China's first female astronaut), Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang.
A look inside China's Tiangong 1 space lab, which launched into orbit in September 2011.
