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China launch date

China’s having a blast!

The nation is aiming to launch its next manned space mission as early as June 2013, state media reported yesterday, as the country steps up its ambitious exploration program.

The Shenzhou-10, with three crew members, is aiming for a primary launch window in June, Niu Hongguang, deputy commander-in-chief of the manned space program, told China National Radio.

Niu, speaking on the sidelines of China’s 18th Communist Party Congress, which kicked off Thursday in Beijing, said one of the three astronauts would likely be a woman.