China's space lab launches micro satellite

China's experimental space lab Tiangong-2 orbiting the Earth with two astronauts on board today launched a microsatellite.

The satellite, which weighs 47 kilograms and is the size of a printer, was launched into space aboard Tiangong-2 on September 15, Technology and Engineering Centre for Space Utilisation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences said.

The microsatellite is able to conduct efficient orbit control, process tasks autonomously and transmit data at high speeds, with stronger capabilities compared with the accompanying satellite of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, it said, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
At the end of October, the satellite will orbit close to Tiangong-2 and Shenzhou-11 and take photos with the high- resolution camera installed on it.

The accompanying satellite will also carry out space experiments with Tiangong-2 to expand the use of space. The Shenzhou-11 spacecraft carried two astronauts into space on October 17 from north-west China's Gobi Desert. It docked with Tiangong-2 two days later.