China launched a manned space mission Tuesday, continuing its ambitious goal of building its own space station.
China Launches Manned Space Mission
![The Long March 2-F rocket loaded with the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft lifts off from the launch pad in the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu province, June 11, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/68591118-eb0c-48a4-b8d7-5dd36f6256ca_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The Long March 2-F rocket loaded with the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft lifts off from the launch pad in the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu province, June 11, 2013.
![People watch as the Long March 2-F rocket loaded with the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft lifts off, Gansu province, China, June 11, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/dbf264fa-4367-4e31-9cfb-98e90b2948de_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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People watch as the Long March 2-F rocket loaded with the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft lifts off, Gansu province, China, June 11, 2013.
![A soldier runs away from the launch pad holding the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft at Jiuquan satellite launch center in Jiuquan, Gansu province, China, June 10, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/31c643b6-80e8-4475-bab6-b13029218f0c_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A soldier runs away from the launch pad holding the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft at Jiuquan satellite launch center in Jiuquan, Gansu province, China, June 10, 2013.
![Chinese astronauts (from L to R) Wang Yaping, Zhang Xiaoguang and Nie Haisheng wave before leaving for the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft mission, Gansu province, June 11, 2013.](https://gdb.voanews.com/5d287c8e-2bc5-47fb-b5f5-0100def9a762_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Chinese astronauts (from L to R) Wang Yaping, Zhang Xiaoguang and Nie Haisheng wave before leaving for the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft mission, Gansu province, June 11, 2013.