The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft blasts off early Wednesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China. Photo: VCG

The spacecraft is carrying three astronauts to China’s Tiangong space station for a roughly six-month mission during which they will conduct experiments and take spacewalks. Photo: VCG

Cai Xuzhe (center), 48, is the commander of the mission. Wang Haoze (left) and Song Lingdong, both 34, are the youngest Chinese astronauts ever to go into space. Photo: VCG

The trio wave to the crowd during a send-off ahead of the launch Wednesday. Photo: VCG

Wang makes a heart sign to the camera as she and the rest of the crew wait to board the spacecraft. Wang is China’s only female spaceflight engineer and only the third woman to go on a Chinese space mission. Photo: VCG

A rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft sits at the launch site on Oct. 22. The crew of the Shenzhou-18, who have been in space for half a year, are scheduled to return to Earth on Nov. 4 after handing over the mission to the new team. Photo: VCG