Six astronauts have arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, where they will take a short break before three of them lift off on a mission into outerspace later this week.

All of them are spending a short time at the launch center to prepare for the physical and psychological adjustments of the mission.

Chen Shan'guang is director of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

"The astronauts will have a rest here, while getting through the manuals and flying procedures. In addition, they will have a health check, making themselves ready for the mission."

Reports indicate that the astronauts are physically, psychologically and technically well-prepared for their mission.

The manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 will be launched at an appropriate time between September 25 and 30.

One of the three astronauts will complete a space walk. Cameras mounted inside and outside the spacecraft will provide a live broadcast of the walk.

China was the third country to send an astronaut into space after the United States and the former Soviet Union, when it successfully put two manned spacecraft into orbit in 2003 and 2005.