China launches three astronauts to replace crew on Chinese space station

Chinese astronauts wave as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission (Andy Wong/AP)

China has launched three astronauts into space to replace the crew on the Chinese Tiangong space station, marking a further step in the country’s ambitions for a crewed mission to the Moon and explore Mars.

The Shenzhou 20 spaceship took off as planned atop China’s workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5.17pm local time. It will reach the Tiangong about six and a half hours later.