Jiuquan: The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship is set for launch on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, as announced by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Wednesday. The launch coincides with China’s 10th Space Day, commemorating the anniversary of the country’s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, launched on April 24, 1970.

According to Qatar News Agency, the spacecraft will carry three astronauts: Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie. CMSA spokesman Lin Xiqiang revealed at a press conference that the launch will utilize a Long March-2F carrier rocket, which is to be filled with propellant soon in preparation for the mission.

This launch marks the 35th flight mission of China’s manned space program and is the fifth crewed mission in the application and development phase of China’s space station. The astronauts are scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.