The first manned space docking of China succeeded Monday afternoon with the coupling of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and Tiangong-1 lab module, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center said.

The procedure began with the Shenzhou-9, with three astronauts aboard, moving to a location 52 km away from the Tiangong-1 at noon Monday. The spacecraft then slowly drifted toward the Tiangong-1 before making contact with the module at 2:07 p.m.

The docking was completed in less than eight minutes.

China's first successful unmanned space docking was completed last year with the docking of the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft and the Tiangong-1.

CCD optical sensor Intervention in 100 meters. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe

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Meeting. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe

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Catching. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe

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Buffering. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe

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Closing. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe

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Locking. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe

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Docking accomplished. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe Buffering. The graphics shows the procedure of Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft automatic docking with Tiangong-1 space lab module on June 18, 2012. Photo: Xinhua/Lu Zhe