Darkmatter

China is preparing to launch its Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) satellite, which was developed to examine dark matter and high-energy particles in space, in mid December.

The satellite was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), which is expected to be launched from the Jiuquan satellite launch centre.

According to state news agency Xinhua, the DAMPE satellite left Shanghai with its carrier Long March 2D rocket for the launch centre, located in the country’s northwest Gansu province.

The launch will be the 26th mission for the Long March 2D rocket.

After inspection, the Dark Matter satellite received approval of CAS and is ready to take off.

Dark matter remains a mystery of physics and modern astrophysics. It is known to be a hypothetical kind of matter that cannot be seen with telescopes but works as an explanation for most of the matter in the universe.

"DAMPE is said to have the most extensive range of observation and maximum energy resolution of any dark matter probe worldwide."

Dark matter cannot be detected directly since it neither emits nor absorbs light or any other electromagnetic radiation at any level.

On the basis of the law of universal gravitation, scientists believe in the existence of dark matter, but have never been able to detect it directly.

CAS expects to deploy four scientific satellites space programmes, of which DAMPE is the first.

DAMPE is said to have the most extensive range of observation and maximum energy resolution of any dark matter probe worldwide.

It expects to monitor the direction, energy and electric charge of high-energy particles in space in search of dark matter.

Experts said DAMPE is designed to carry an increased payload, which has 1,410kg of scientific payload weight. The entire satellite weighs 1,850kg.

The new design aims to reduce the size and weight of the satellite and save launching expenditures.

Image: China is preparing to launch its Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) satellite to examine dark matter and high-energy particles in space. Photo: courtesy of Wikimedia.