This TV grab shows female Chinese astronaut Liu Yang in the re-entry module of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft in the space, 17 June 2012.

China put its first woman into orbit on Saturday (16 June 2012), one of three astronauts to attempt a critical space docking in the latest challenge for the countrys ambitious space programme. A Long March rocket blasted off in the early evening from the remote Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gobi Desert, carrying with it the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and the three astronauts, including 33-year-old female fighter pilot Liu Yang. This is Chinas fourth manned space mission since 2003 when astronaut Yang Liwei became the countrys first person in orbit, and comes as the United States has curtailed manned launches over budget concerns and changing priorities.