The Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying China's manned Shenzhou-X spacecraft blasts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu province, June 11, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

China successfully launched its fifth manned spacecraft on Tuesday afternoon, announced Zhang Youxia, chief commander of China's manned space program.

Shenzhou-X, atop an upgraded Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday and then entered its designated orbit.

Three astronauts, two male and one female, are aboard the spacecraft.