Shenzhou-19 astronauts enter space station

This image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Oct. 30, 2024 shows the crew of Shenzhou-18 and Shenzhou-19 manned spaceships talking with each other. The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission have entered the Tiangong space station and met with another astronaut trio on Wednesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission have entered the Tiangong space station and met with another astronaut trio on Wednesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover.

The Shenzhou-18 crew opened the hatch at 12:51 p.m. (Beijing Time) and greeted the new arrivals, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The six crew members then took group pictures for the fifth space get-together in China's aerospace history.

They will live and work together for about five days to complete planned tasks and handover work, the CMSA said.

The Shenzhou-18 crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China on Nov. 4. 

This image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Oct. 30, 2024 shows a group photo of the crew of Shenzhou-18 and Shenzhou-19 manned spaceships. The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission have entered the Tiangong space station and met with another astronaut trio on Wednesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. [Photo/Xinhua]

This image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Oct. 30, 2024 shows the crew of Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship greeting the crew of Shenzhou-19 manned spaceship. The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission have entered the Tiangong space station and met with another astronaut trio on Wednesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. [Photo/Xinhua]

This image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Oct. 30, 2024 shows the crew of Shenzhou-18 and Shenzhou-19 manned spaceships hugging together. The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission have entered the Tiangong space station and met with another astronaut trio on Wednesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. [Photo/Xinhua]

This image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Oct. 30, 2024 shows the crew of Shenzhou-18 and Shenzhou-19 manned spaceships talking with each other. The three astronauts of China's Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission have entered the Tiangong space station and met with another astronaut trio on Wednesday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. [Photo/Xinhua]