China celebrates outer space milestone

Slowly but surely, China's space program approaches another landmark.

This spacecraft - launched last week - is preparing to dock with an orbiting lab high above the earth.

The ship's crew of three gingerly line up their capsule - and with a slight jolt, the two vessels come together.

At mission control, scientists cheer the outer space success.

This is the first time China has completed a manual docking in orbit - a landmark achievement for the country's fast-growing space programme.

China sent its first person into space just a decade ago.

But the country already has ambitious plans to build its own space station and launch a mission to the moon.

Andrew Raven, Reuters