Chinese crewed spaceship docks with new space station

A Chinese spaceship carrying a three-person crew has docked with China's new space station at the start of three-month mission, marking a milestone in the country's ambitious space program

JIUQUAN, China -- A Chinese spaceship carrying a three-person crew docked with China's new space station at the start of three-month mission Thursday, marking a milestone in the country's ambitious space program. The Shenzhou-12 craft connected with the Tianhe space station module about six hours after takeoff from the Jiuquan launch center on the edge of the Gobi Desert. The three astronauts are the first to take up residency in the main living module and will carry out experiments, test equipment, conduct maintenance and prepare the station for receiving two laboratory modules next year. The mission brings to 14 the number of astronauts China has launched into space since 2003, becoming only the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to do so on its own.