(Bloomberg) -- China has successfully launched a rocket to send a team of three astronauts to the nation’s space station. 

The Shenzhou 17 blasted off at 11:14 a.m. local time, state broadcaster CCTV reported. 

The launch comes shortly after a top Chinese scientist outlined the nation’s space goals for the next 15 years, including a mission to send Chinese astronauts to the moon for the first time.

During a speech on Oct. 22, Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, also criticized US efforts to hinder the development of China’s space program.

“China’s deep space exploration is facing serious challenges marked by a blockade and isolation from the US-led West, which is comparable with the suppression the country’s suffering from in the chip industry,” he said, according to the Global Times. 

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China aims to become the first nation to have a spacecraft return to Earth with samples from the far side of the moon next year, Wu said. Other projects include a robotic probe to the lunar south pole as well as a crewed mission “around 2030.”

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has frequently spoken about the threat posed to the US by China in space, warning Beijing may seek to get to the lunar south pole first and prevent other countries from accessing resources there.

China “has never sought hegemony in space,” Lin said at Wednesday’s briefing, adding that the country is ready to invite astronauts from other countries to participate in its space program.

The three astronauts on the mission include veteran pilot Tang Hongbo, who was part of the Shenzhou 12 crew. The astronauts will work in the Tiangong space station for six months and return in April, according to the briefing. 

China last launched a crewed rocket to its space station on May 30, when the Shenzhou 16 spaceship sent three astronauts, including veteran Jing Haipeng and scientist Gui Haichao. During their time in space, they conducted a spacewalk and held a public lecture for Chinese students. 

The Shenzhou 16 crew members are scheduled to return to Earth on Oct. 31.

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