
BEIJING -- China's first dark-matter detection satellite has completed three months of in-orbit testing, with initial findings expected to appear before the end of the year, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite "Wukong" detected 460 million high energy particles in a 92-day flight, sending about 2.4 TB of raw data back to Earth, DAMPE chief scientist Chang Jin said.
Launched on Dec. 17, 2015 on a Long March 2-D rocket, "Wukong" was handed over to the CAS Purple Mountain Observatory on Thursday.
The four major parts of the payload - a plastic scintillator array detector, a silicon array detector, a BGO calorimeter, and a neutron detector - functioned satisfactorily. The satellite completed all set tests, with all its technical indicators reaching or exceeding expectations.
"Wukong" is designed for a three-year mission. It 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 in the third.
The CAS on Thursday released a report on the future of space science promising "major progress and breakthroughs" by 2030 in research into the formation and evolution of the universe and the search for extraterrestrial life.
It will also strive to find new physical laws that supplant current basic theories.
The goals will be achieved by manned and unmanned programs, including a black hole probe, a Mars probe and extraterrestrial life exploration.
Chinese lawmakers on Wednesday approved the country's economic and social development blueprint for the 2016-2020 period, including research on the origins of the universe and life.
Thai most beautiful transgender Nong Poy release new photos
Now and then photos of Shanghai Jiaotong University
Is this what air travel will look like in 2050?
Aerial view of watermelon terraces in S China's Baise
Traditional wedding of a post-80s Tibetan couple
Models in cheongsams present classical oriental beauty
Second commissioned C28A corvette made by China enters Algerian Navy
Intoxicating Wuyuan in spring
Gold and silver wares of Qing Dynasty exhibited in Shenyang Imperial Palace
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
10 Chinese female stars with most beautiful faces
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
Not a child’s play: Kids working as adults to make a living
Chinese town on North Korean border faces bleak business prospects
China set to boost access for US investors
Premier mollifies fears over economyDay|Week