The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft – atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket – blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Thursday, sending astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie to space.

Xinhua news agency, citing an official, reported that the launch was a complete success.

The trio of astronauts will work on the Tiangong space station for six months and conduct physics and life sciences experiments, as well as install protective equipment against space debris.

They are also, for the first time, bringing planarians, which are aquatic flatworms known for their unparalleled regenerative abilities.

Earlier, hundreds of people holding bouquets and flags held a send-off ceremony for the trio before they were transported to the launch site.

The mission commander is Chen Dong, who has had two previous spaceflights under his belt.

At the pre-launch press conference on Wednesday, the 46-year-old former air force pilot said his excitement this time around remains just as strong as his first two trips to space.

Chen and his crew will carry out the in-orbit rotation with the trio of astronauts currently stationed on Tiangong.

The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-19 mission are scheduled to return to Earth on April the 29th.

China has sought to bring other countries into its space programme, and in February signed a deal with Pakistan to bring the first foreign astronaut aboard Tiangong. (Agencies)