China on Thursday launched its Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. 

Three Chinese astronauts, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, have been selected for the mission to the China Space Station (CSS).

The trio marks the youngest astronaut crew by average age since the launch of the China Space Station construction mission. It is also the first time the spaceflight team consists of one veteran from China's second batch of astronauts and two space rookies from the third batch of astronauts.

Shenzhou-17 is the 30th flight mission of China's manned space program and the 12th manned mission of the program. The crew will stay in orbit for about six months.