China launches its Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Taikonauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu carry out the mission to the China Space Station. Ye will serve as the mission commander. They are scheduled to stay in orbit for about six months and return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in late October. During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-18 crew will receive the Tianzhou-8 cargo ship and the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship.