China to Publish Initial Scientific Results of Dark Matter Probe in 6 Months: Scientist

Chinese scientists say they plan to publish the first results from its dark matter probe within six months.

Chief scientist of China's Dark Matter Satellite Program, Chang Jin, says because the space environment of high-energy particles is complicated, a sufficient amount of high-energy particles has to be collected.

"Therefore, we can find some information about dark matter by analyzing these particles. According to our observation plan, we will take around two months to do the detective calibration. Within six months, we will publish the initial scientific results."

China launched its first dark matter satellite "Wukong" on Dec 17, and it started sending back its first set of observation data on Thursday.

Wu Ji with the Chinese Academy of Sciences says the satellite is operating as expected.

"The satellite is working well, and the actual payload is normal as well. Actually, the satellite from now on enters a two-month in-orbit testing phase."

The satellite has already circled the Earth more than 100 times.

It is designed to undertake a three-year space mission, but scientists hope it can be extended to five years.

Wukong will scan space nonstop in all directions in the first two years and then focus on areas where dark matter is most likely to be observed afterward.