video transcript

Shenzhou 10, China's fifth-manned spacecraft, was transferred to its launch pad on Monday in preparation for its mid-June launch, carrying three astronauts to an experimental space module, state media reported. Both the ship and its Long-March 2-F rocket were moved to a remote site in the Gobi desert where a series of preparatory tests will be carried out, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Once in orbit, the Shenzhou 10 will link up with the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) 1 module, which was moved into position last month, Xinhua added. The Shenzhou-10 will be China's fifth manned space mission since 2003, when astronaut Yang Liwei became the country's first person in orbit.