China is expected to launch a new crewed mission into space this week. Beijing is taking confident steps towards its goal of sending astronauts to the moon.

The Shenzhou-20 mission will take off from the Zhuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and take three astronauts to the state-built Tiangong space station for a likely six-month stay.

The crew will conduct experiments to help meet the space programme's ambitious goals of sending astronauts to the moon by 2030 and eventually building a lunar base, AFP reported.

The country's space agency said last week that the Shenzhou spacecraft and its Long March-2F carrier rocket had been transferred to a launch pad at the remote desert base and would take off "at an appropriate time in the near future."

Photos released by the state-run Xinhua news agency show the white rocket perched on a blue pedestal decorated with national flags pointing skyward, with red-and-gold banners welcoming China's space program.

"At present, the facilities and equipment at the launch site are in good condition. Functional inspections and joint tests will be carried out as planned," the China Manned Spaceflight Agency (CMSA) said.

Authorities have not yet provided details on the identities of the Shenzhou-20 astronauts or the work they will be performing.

Zhou Wenxing, an official at the country's astronaut training center, said the crew is "in good condition, precise in work and smoothly coordinated." | BGNES