Three astronauts are to board China's fifth manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-10, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Tuesday afternoon.

The spacecraft carrying two men, Nie Haisheng and Zhang Xiaoguang, as well as a woman, Wang Yaping, is set to blast off at 5:38 p.m..

The astronauts, in white space suits, walked out of the apartment compound, called Wentiange, or "Ask-the-Sky Pavilion," at the launch center, and came to a square where they reported to Zhang Youxia, commander-in-chief of the country's manned space program.

"Proceed!" Zhang said.