
China has successfully completed the in-space refuelling of orbital satellites following last week's launch of a new-generation carrier rocket, the National University of Defense Technology announced on Thursday.
Similar to air refueling for planes, the process involves the refueling of a satellite in orbit in a microgravity environment and will extend a satellite's functional life and considerably boost its maneuverability.
Developed by the university, Tianyuan-1 is the country's first in-space refueling system for orbital satellites. It was sent in orbit aboard the Long March-7 carrier rocket on Saturday.
A series of core independent processes was tested and verified after the launch, with data and videos recording the full process sent back to earth, the university said in a statement.
"The injection process was stable, and measurements and controls were precise," the statement said.
It added that the test proved that Tianyuan-1 met design requirements. Though an area of great interest, the process is complicated and only a few countries have began similar experiments.
China launched its Long March-7 carrier rocket successfully on Saturday from Wenchang, South China's Hainan Province.
Five made-in-China hi-tech breakthroughs
Beijing Style: Hot pants
HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to open to traffic
China opens its first combined transport service to Nepal
Students take stylish bikini graduations photos
Charming dancing students pose for graduation photos
Guizhou, Yunnan section of Shanghai-Kunming railway connected
Naked models transformed into landscapes, birds and even DRAGONS by body painting artist
World’s biggest cruise ship Harmony of the Seas to start maiden voyage
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
Gaga bashed for Dalai Lama talk
HK radicalism is creating antagonism
How TCM, special drinks and certain foods can help overcome dog days
More ‘middle-class’ CPC tries to recruit workers, farmers to stay true to originsDay|Week