A new Chinese-made space-based telescope tasked with searching for signs of "dark matter" has formally begun its mission, beaming its first set of data to ground stations on Thursday.
The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) Satellite, launched a week ago, ran a power-on test before uploading its first count of high-energy electrons and cosmic rays at around 6 p.m. to the National Space Science Center.
Wu Ji with the Chinese Academy of Sciences says the satellite is operating as expected.
"The satellite is working well, and the actual payload is normal as well. Actually, the satellite from now on enters a two-month on-orbit testing phase."
The satellite has already circled the Earth more than 100 times.
It is designed to undertake a three-year space mission, but scientists hope it can last five years.
Wukong 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 afterward.
Initial findings will be published as early as in the second half of 2016.
