China space launch latest: 'Flawless' blast off for Shenzhou-20 mission - as Beijing works towards ambitious moon goal

'Your whole body reverberates': What the launch felt like and how Chinese crowd watched with pride

Watching a rocket launch is more than just something you watch - I now know it's also something you feel.

Even though we were some distance away, your whole body reverberates, and you can't hear the person immediately next to you.

It was atmospheric as well.

A deep hush fell among the crowds just before the countdown, followed by whoops and cheers as it sped off out of view.

There is such a sense of pride in this space programme among the Chinese.

It was very much on display today.

'If you sell secrets, you'll be executed': Billboard's warning outside launch base

Our team in the Gobi Desert spotted this sign just outside the base, from a place where the public could watch lift-off.

Here's how part of it translates:

To keep secrets is glorious.

If you leak information, you will be arrested.

If you sell secrets, you'll be executed. 

What can go wrong in space

Today's launch was the latest in a series of successful launches in China, with this one going by without a hiccup - see our 10.29 post.

But that's not something any astrophysicist would take for granted, with months of preparation from a team of dozens - if not hundreds - going into every detail.

That's because when things do go wrong, the consequences are often disastrous.

Here's a look at the kind of things that can - and have - gone wrong in the great beyond.

'Crew in good condition': Chinese authorities give update on launch success

An update now from the team behind today's launch.

In a statement, Chinese authorities said "at present, the crew is in good condition, and the launch is a complete success".

The spacecraft "separated successfully from the launch vehicle and entered the predetermined orbit", the statement said of the launch.

"At present, the space station assembly has entered the docking orbit and is in good working condition, ready for rendezvous and docking with the Shenzhou-20 and entrance for the crew, " it added.

World will watch closely - as Chinese space station might soon be 'only one in orbit'

This marks the 15th crewed flight of the Shenzhou mission, and its 20th launch overall since it started three decades ago.

It has a 100% success rate - and other nations will be keenly watching today's developments.

Astrophysicist Dr Maggie Liu said this will be especially true with the "wind-down" of the International Space Station, which is scheduled for decommission in 2030.

"This at one point might be the only space station that we have left in orbit," she told our presenter Matt Barbet, referring to China's space station.

"So it will require international people joining this mission, working together to have access to this research facility - it is a laboratory after all."

The Tiangong - or "Heavenly Palace" - space station was entirely Chinese-built after the country was excluded from the ISS over US national security concerns.

China's space program is controlled by the People's Liberation Army, which is the military branch of the ruling Communist Party.

All calm at mission control - as workers applaud launch

It takes an army of people to make these space launches happen.

And they're all invested in success.

In China, the team on the ground have appeared calm in pictures from the live stream - until some smatterings of applause a few moments ago.

A sure sign the launch has gone well!

'Flawless' lift-off comes as no surprise, says expert

The rocket has taken off - and it went without a hitch.

That's the view of astrophysicist Dr Maggie Liu, who's just told us this was "flawless, as expected".

"This rocket has launched with a 100% success rate since the 90s, so it's no surprise this is smooth sailing for them," she added.

It will now take up to seven hours for the crew to reach the space station, which actually isn't long at all, Dr Liu said.

-SKY NEWS