China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft parachuted to a jolting rocket-assisted landing in Inner Mongolia on Friday, safely returning three astronauts to Earth after nearly 13 days in orbit.

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Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut, has exited the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft. All three space fliers look to be in good health as they wave and salute the ground team.

Shenzhou 9's pilot - Liu Wang - has emerged from the spacecraft. The astronauts are being placed in seats and carried to a location near the capsule.

Shenzhou 9 commander Jing Haipeng has exited the spacecraft, smiling and waving to the recovery team.

One of the astronauts is waving and flashing a peace sign from inside the Shenzhou spacecraft, but the crew has not come out so far. Landing occurred one hour ago.

The astronauts are spending extra time re-adapting to gravity before coming out of the capsule, according to Chinese state television. The crew made be pulled from the spacecraft in about 25 minutes.

The astronauts spent nearly 13 days in space, more than two times longer than any Chinese spaceflight to date.

Chinese officials say the three astronauts are in good condition. Commander Jing Haipeng, pilot Liu Wang, and Liu Yang, the country's first female astronaut, should emerge from the capsule soon.

The hatch to the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has been opened.

Recovery crews have rushed to the landing site, which is at the base of a small ridge.

The capsule fired braking rockets just a few feet above the ground as planned, and the spacecraft flipped over at impact. Officials on Chinese state television say this was normal.

TOUCHDOWN. The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has returned to Earth after almost 13 days in space.

The craft's main parachute has deployed, and the astronauts aboard Shenzhou 9 report they feel fine.

Live video on Chinese state television shows what appears to be the descent module streaking through the atmosphere ahead of the Shenzhou service module, which is breaking up and burning up as designed.

The spacecraft is in a planned communications blackout.

Live video on Chinese state television shows what appears to be the descent module streaking through the atmosphere ahead of the Shenzhou service module, which is breaking up and burning up as designed.

The spacecraft is in a planned communications blackout.

The descent module has separated and the de-orbit burn has been completed, putting Shenzhou 9 on course for landing.

The re-entry module of the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, which contains the mission's three astronauts, has now separated from the vehicle's habitation module, beginning the return sequence. The spacecraft is now flying near the southwest coast of Africa.

Landing of the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft is less than an hour away, and coming up in a few minutes will be the de-orbit burn to set the capsule on a course to touchdown in northern China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft undocked from the Tiangong 1 space lab overnight Wednesday after nearly 10 days of joint operations, setting the stage for the landing of the capsule's three-person crew in China.

Astronaut Liu Wang, Shenzhou 9's chief pilot, took manual control of the craft for departure from Tiangong 1. Liu accomplished China's first manual docking in orbit Sunday.

The crew entered Shenzhou 9 around 2200 GMT (6 p.m. EDT) Wednesday to prepare for the manual undocking.

Shenzhou 9 is scheduled to land at about 0200 GMT Friday (10 p.m. EDT Thursday) in a predefined zone inside northern China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The specific region for landing is known as Siziwang Banner, the same point of return used for China's three previous human space missions.

The crew spent nearly 10 days aboard Tiangong 1, completing a series of medical experiments, engineering tests and other objectives, according to Chinese space program officials.

The bus-sized module includes living quarters and work stations for astronauts. Another trio of astronauts will visit Tiangong 1 some time next year.

China has spent about $6 billion on its manned space program since 1992, and about half that figure went toward developing advanced capabilities for rendezvous and docking, according to an official quoted by state media.

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Chinese astronaut Liu Wang, an experienced Air Force pilot, carefully guided the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft to a docking with the Tiangong 1 space lab module Sunday, notching China's first manual docking in orbit.

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The docking ring has now retracted and Shenzhou 9 and Tiangong 1 firmly connected again. Tiangong 1's control moment gyroscopes have resumed controlling the orientation of the combined complex.

The docking rings connecting the two spacecraft will retract in the next few minutes to form a tight seal.

CONTACT. The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft under the control of astronaut Liu Wang has docked with the Tiangong 1 space lab.

Range is now about 50 meters, or about 164 feet.

Range is now about 50 meters, or about 164 feet.

Range is now about 100 meters, or less than 330 feet between the two vehicles. The closing rate is about 0.9 mph.

Range is now about 100 meters, or less than 330 feet between the two vehicles. The closing rate is about 0.9 mph.

Liu Wang has taken manual control of the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft.

Liu Wang has two control sticks to pilot Shenzhou 9 toward Tiangong 1. One controls the craft's attitude while a translation controller can change its rate of closure.

While earlier Shenzhou spacecraft featured manual control sticks, they have never been used in flight until this mission. Liu tested the manual control system Friday while Shenzhou 9 was docked with Tiangong 1.

When the docking approach resumes, Liu will try to keep Shenzhou 9's crosshairs on a target near Tiangong 1's docking port.

The spacecraft will pause at a range of 30 meters, or about 98 feet, to ensure the vehicles are in good shape and properly aligned.

In the moments before docking, the spacecraft should approach each other at less than one-half mile per hour, or approximately 20 centimeters per second. The alignment between the vehicles must be within 7 inches, according to Chinese engineers.

A ring deployed in front of Shenzhou 8's nose will first make contact with Tiangong 1, then a robotic system will bring the craft together and drive latches to create a firm connection.

Liu Wang has swapped seats wit Jing Haipeng to take over piloting duties in the craft's center seat for the manual approach, which is set to resume at 0437 GMT (12:37 a.m. EDT). Docking is set for 0503 GMT (1:03 a.m. EDT).

Chinese state television reports docking is about 30 minutes away. Shenzhou 9 is holding 140 meters, or about 459 feet, from Tiangong 1 before the astronauts take manual control.

The range between the Shenzhou 9 and Tiangong 1 vehicles is now about 150 meters, or 492 feet.

After backing away to about 400 meters, or 1,300 feet, from Tiangong 1, the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has started moving back toward the space lab.

Shenzhou 9 continues backing away from Tiangong 1. The astronauts are in their spacesuits in case the docking attempt fails and they need to return to Earth.

The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft - flying in automatic mode - has undocked from the Tiangong 1 space lab for the manual docking test. The spacecraft will back away about 1,300 feet from Tiangong 1 before starting its approach.

Three Chinese astronauts will temporarily depart their quarters inside the orbiting Tiangong 1 space lab early Sunday, backing away inside a Shenzhou spacecraft before pilot Liu Wang takes control of the capsule to complete the first manual docking in China's burgeoning space program.

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Flying on autopilot with three astronauts on-board, China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft glided to a smooth docking with the Tiangong 1 space lab Monday, forming a small-scale space station 200 miles above Earth.

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All three Shenzhou 9 crew members are now inside the Tiangong 1 module, which is reported to be in good health. The astronauts have activated an air sampling system and tested communications systems ahead of their 10-day stay aboard the spacecraft.

The astronauts will back away in the Shenzhou 9 capsule at some point during the mission, then approach Tiangong 1 module again for a manual docking. Liu Wang will be at the controls of the spacecraft for that maneuver.

Shenzhou 9's mission is due to last 13 days from launch until landing.

Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang, now inside the Tiangong 1 spacecraft, are testing the module's atmosphere and verifying it is in good condition. Liu Yang remains inside the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft.

Shenzhou 9 commander Jing Haipeng has become the first astronaut to enter China's Tiangong 1 space lab module in orbit.

Two astronauts - commander Jing Haipeng and Liu Yang - will enter the Tiangong 1 module at about 0922 GMT (5:22 a.m. EDT), according to Chinese television.

Liu Yang, Shenzhou 9's female crew member, will stay behind in the capsule to protect against a possible emergency.

The astronauts are taking off their spacesuits as engineers ensure the pressure is equalized between Shenzhou 9 and Tiangong 1.

Flying on autopilot with three astronauts on-board, the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft docked with the Tiangong 1 laboratory module at about 0608 GMT (2:08 a.m. EDT).

The two spacecraft contacted at a relative speed of about 8 inches per second as the vehicles moved around Earth at more than 17,000 mph.

Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang - China's first female astronaut - were in their seats inside Shenzhou 9 for the automated docking.

The astronauts planned to open hatches to a 31-inch-diameter tunnel leading into the Tiangong 1 module. Ingress of the bus-sized laboratory was planned for about 0920 GMT (5:20 a.m. EDT) today, according to official Chinese media reports.

Three Chinese astronauts rode a Long March rocket into orbit Saturday, kicking off 13 days of docking trials and experiments laying the groundwork for China's ambition to build a permanent space station by the end of the decade.

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And check out images of the launch.

Shenzhou 9 is orbiting Earth in an elliptical trajectory stretching from 124 miles to 205 miles above the planet. The spacecraft will fire thrusters more than 7 hours into the flight to circularize its orbit, a crucial step in its rendezvous with the Tiangong 1 laboratory module in about two days.

Gen. Chang Wanquan, commander of China's manned space program, just called today's launch of Shenzhou 9 a success.

"According to the report from the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center, Shenzhou 9 has successfully entered its preset orbit and it's in great condition," Chang said. "I can announce the launch of Shenzhou 9 is successfully completed."

Shenzhou 9's solar panels have now deployed, according to live video from the spacecraft.

The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has separated from the Long March rocket in orbit. The astronauts are smiling and waving on a live camera view inside the capsule.

T+plus 8 minutes, 20 seconds. The main engine second stage of the Long March rocket has shut down.

Radar trackers indicate the rocket is traveling down the expected flight path.

T+plus 3 minutes, 45 seconds. The protective aerodynamic fairing covering the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft has jettisoned now that the rocket is out of the lower atmosphere.

T+plus 2 minutes, 50 seconds. The Long March rocket's first stage and four liquid-fueled boosters have jettisoned and the second stage is now firing.

T+plus 2 minutes. The escape tower has jettisoned as planned.

LIFTOFF of the Long March 2F rocket with the Shenzhou 9 mission, carrying China's first female astronaut as the country advances its space technology.

T-minus 60 seconds.

T-minus 2 minutes. This is China's fourth human spaceflight and the first space mission with a Chinese woman. It follows previous crewed Shenzhou flights in 2003, 2005 and 2008.

T-minus 4 minutes. The astronauts are configuring their spacesuits for launch, closing their visors, and ensuring they have a good pressure seal.

T-minus 4 minutes. The astronauts are configuring their spacesuits for launch, closing their visors, and ensuring they have a good pressure seal.

T-minus 5 minutes. All systems are reported to working well at this stage in the countdown.

T-minus 8 minutes. The official launch time will be 1037:24 GMT (6:37:24 a.m. EDT) in order for Shenzhou 9 to reach the Tiangong 1 target module in orbit 200 miles above Earth.

T-minus 13 minutes. Tracking stations downrange from Jiuquan report they are ready for launch.

T-minus 15 minutes. Workers will soon evacuate the launch pad and fall back to a safe position for liftoff.

T-minus 24 minutes. With the launch pad gantry retracted, the Long March 2F rocket stands atop a pedestal awaiting liftoff at 1037 GMT (6:37 a.m. EDT).

T-minus 30 minutes. The rotating launch gantry continues to be retracted away from the Long March 2F rocket as the countdown reaches the final half-hour before liftoff.

T-minus 41 minutes. The rotating gantry at the launch pad is opening to reveal the lower portion of the Long March 2F rocket, which includes the first stage and four liquid-fueled boosters.

The launch site is at the Jiuquan satellite launching center in China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region in the northwest section of the country. The Jiuquan base is located in the Gobi desert.

T-minus 60 minutes. The countdown has entered the final hour before liftoff of the Long March 2F rocket with three astronauts on China's fourth human spaceflight.

All three crew members, which include a veteran flier and China's first female astronaut, are strapped into their seats inside the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft.

The skies over the Jiuquan launch site are mostly clear, with light winds and balmy temperatures of about 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fully loaded with propellant, the Long March 2F rocket stands 191 feet tall and weighs about 1.1 million pounds. The rocket generates more than 1.4 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Check out a launch timeline showing the major events during the Long March 2F rocket's ascent into orbit.

All three astronauts have entered the Shenzhou 9 capsule. Commander Jing Haipeng will sit in the middle seat, Liu Yang will be to his left, and Liu Wang will be to his right during launch.

The astronauts have arrived at the launch pad and rode an elevator to the platform providing access to the Shenzhou spacecraft atop the Long March 2F rocket.

We assure you we will finish the mission," Jing Haipeng, the Shenzhou 9 mission commander, told officials before taking the elevator to the top of the rocket.

Shenzhou 9 mission commander Jing Haipeng just led his three-person crew outside the astronaut quarters at Jiuquan space center, reporting they were ready for launch on a two-week mission to include China's first manned docking in orbit.

"We are under orders to be committed to the preparation for the Chinese Shenzhou 9 and Tiangong 1 mission, and the preparation is finished and all crew members are here," Jing reported to a senior military official.

Jing, pilot Liu Wang, and Liu Yang - China's first female astronaut - boarded a bus to ride to the launch pad after being greeted by a band and a flag-waving crowd.

"You're going to be sent up to take part in China's very first manned space and rendezvous and docking mission," said Wu Bangguo, chairman of China's National People's Congress, in remarks to the crew before they departed their living quarters.

"You're going to face new challenges and obstacles, but I believe with support from the Chinese people and the country, and good preparation and knowledge we learned from [previous space missions], you are going to succeed in the mission," Wu said. "I hope that you are determined and will be calm, be careful and work hard to build a new stage for China's manned space program, and we are expecting your successful return."

All systems are reported to be in good shape for the final countdown leading to liftoff of the Long March 2F launcher at 1037 GMT (6:37 a.m. EDT).

The rocket's two stages and four strap-on boosters were filled with nitrogen tetroxide and hydrazine propellants Friday, and Chinese state media reported the forecast called for good weather conditions at the Jiuquan satellite launching center in northwest China's Inner Mongolia province.

China has announced the Shenzhou 9 mission will lift off at 1037 GMT (6:37 a.m. EDT; 6:37 p.m. Beijing time) Saturday with a two-man, one-woman crew bound for the country's first piloted docking in space.

Chinese space program officials are holding a press conference now to announce details of the flight, which were closely-held secrets until now.

The three-person crew will be led by veteran astronaut Jing Haipeng, a pilot in the Chinese Air Force who flew on the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008.

China's first female astronaut - Liu Yang - will also fly aboard Shenzhou 9. The 34-year-old rookie space flier is also a pilot in the Chinese military.

Liu Wang, another first-time space flier, will round out the crew.

A spokesperson for the Chinese space program said the astronauts will spend almost two weeks in space, making Shenzhou 9 the country's longest-duration human spaceflight.

The astronauts will complete an automated docking with the Tiangong 1 laboratory module several days after launch. The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft will later complete a manual docking with the crew at the controls.

Two of the Shenzhou 9 crew members will enter Tiangong 1 to conduct a variety of experiments during the mission.

The crew is scheduled to participate in a press conference in a few hours, and engineers at the Jiuquan space center in northwest China will begin filling the Long March 2F rocket with liquid propellant at about 5:30 p.m. Beijing time (0930 GMT; 5:30 a.m. EDT).

China rolled a Long March booster to a desert launch pad Saturday, setting up for the launch of three astronauts as soon as this week on a mission to dock with an orbiting laboratory module 200 miles above Earth.

Chinese space officials said only the launch would occur in mid-June, but the state-run CCTV television news channel reported Sunday the blastoff was scheduled for June 16.

The flight would mark China's fourth human spaceflight and the first crewed mission to the country's Tiangong 1 spacecraft, a bus-sized module launched in September 2011.

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And check out photos of the rollout of the Long March rocket Saturday.