China's Shenzhou 9 spacecraft will be launched at just after half past six this evening. Crew members are now making their final preparations.

This is the first time a Chinese spacecraft is being launched during the summer. On the ground in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the weather is ideal for the blast-off. The preferable wind speed is about seven meters per second.

The wind strength is now about ten meters per second but easing. As for the astronauts, they've practiced manual rendezvous and docking this morning. They've also changed their diet to high energy food.

They will set off for the launch tower at just after half past two and will enter the spacecraft two hours later to make last preparations. There will be a final examination of the launch system, the status of the spacecraft and the astronauts themselves two hours before the launch.