China to launch Dark Matter Satellite in mid-December

China is planning to launch its Dark Matter Particle Explorer Satellite, developed to study dark matter and high-energy particles in space, in mid-December after it left Shanghai today for the launch centre in the country's northwest Gansu Province.
Developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite left Shanghai with its carrier Long March 2-D rocket and is expected to be launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.
DAMPE, the first of the four scientific satellites employed in the CAS space program, is designed to study darkmatter, one of the most important mysteries of physics.

Scientists believe in the existence of darkmatter based on the law of universal gravitation, but have never directly detected it.
The satellite and carrier rocket are fully prepared for blast-off after passing the inspection and approval of the CAS, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
It will observe the direction, energy and electric charge of high-energy particles in space in search of dark matter, it said, adding that the satellite will be the 26th mission for the Long March 2-D rocket.

DAMPE will have the widest observation spectrum and highest energy resolution of any dark matter probe in the world.
According to experts, DAMPE is designed for increased payload, with the scientific payload weighing 1,410 kilogrammes and the whole satellite weighing 1,850 kilogrammes.

The design helps cut down on the size and weight of the satellite and save launching cost.