Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, General Zhang Youxia, chief commander of China's manned space program, has declared the launch a success.

"According to the Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, the rocket is flying as planned. Shenzhou-11 has entered orbit. The solar panel unfolded as normal. The astronauts are well. Now I declare the launch of the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft a success," said General Zhang Youxia, chief commander of China's Manned Space Program.

The Shenzhou-11 was launched this morning at 7:30 Beijing Time. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the orbiting space lab Tiangong-2 on October 19th. The Tiangong-2 was also launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center earlier on September 15th. Once docked, the astronauts will stay in the space lab for 30 days before returning to Earth.