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China Launches Shenzhou 9 Mission
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office
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.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew in Orbit
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
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.
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Liftoff! Shenzhou 9 Launches Into Space
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
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.
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Shenzhou 9 Salutes as Flags Wave
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Shenzhou 9 Launch: Booster Sep
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
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.
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Liftoff for Shenzhou 9!
Credit: China Academy of Launch Technology
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.
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Shenhou 9 Crew Walks Out to Launch Pad
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Shenzhou 9 Mission Sends China's First Female Astronaut Into Orbit (Infographic)
Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor
China's three-person crew will test techniques for docking and inhabit the Tiangong space laboratory.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Salutes Before Launch
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Shenzhou 9: China's 1st Female Astronaut
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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China's Shenzhou 9 Launches Into Space
Credit: China Central Television/CCTV
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.
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Liftoff! Shenzhou 9 Launches Into Space
Credit: CCTV
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.
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China's 1st Female Astronaut Ready
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Shenzhou 9: Final Systems Checks
Credit: CCTV
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.
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China's Shenzhou-9 Mission Crew
Credit: China Manned Space Engineering
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.
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China's Shenzhou 9 Crew with Mission Patches
Credit: Xinhua
China's Shenzhou 9 crew, from right, Jing Haipeng, Liu Yang and Liu Wang, wearing their mission's emblem during training.
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China's 1st Woman Astronaut: Liu Yang
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Shenzhou 9 Crew Close-Up
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Shenzhou 9 Astronauts Meet the Press
Credit: China Ministry of National Defense
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.
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Inside China's Tiangong 1 Space Lab
Credit: Dragon in Space
A look inside China's Tiangong 1 space lab, which launched into orbit in September 2011.
