The 12-kilogram satellite, named Macao Student Science Satellite 1, was released into orbit by the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft on Sunday, Ho Iat-seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, announced on Tuesday as the region marked its 23rd birthday.
Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing, the satellite was carried into space by the Tianzhou 5 on Nov 12. Before its orbital deployment on Sunday, the satellite was contained in the cargo ship.
The satellite is tasked with helping students in Macao learn about Earth imaging, radio communication and other spaceflight activities, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Tianzhou 5 is now connected to the Tiangong space station, where it is storing propellants, materials for scientific experiments and astronauts' supplies.
The space agency said that to make the best use of the Tianzhou-series cargo ships' abundant carrying capacity, scientists have used them to transport several payloads of scientific equipment and mini satellites to orbit. It said future Tianzhou missions will also offer educational opportunities to researchers at home and abroad.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, is Copyright 1995-2026 Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principles for news reporting and research purposes. |
