China is ready to launch its manned spacecraft Shenzhou-13 at 12:23 a.m. BJT on October 16 (4:23 p.m. GMT, October 15) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The China Manned Space Agency announced the plan at a press conference on Thursday.

The mission is the second of four manned missions for the construction of Tiangong, China's first space station. Three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, will head to the core module of the Tiangong and stay there for six months before returning. Stay tuned for CGTN's special coverage of the Shenzhou-13 mission and get firsthand info.