The accompanying satellite of Shenzhou VII orbital module has accomplished its preset mission after 100 days in space, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) said on Sunday.
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The accompanying satellite of Shenzhou VII orbital module has accomplished its preset mission after 100 days in space, the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) said on January 4, 2009. [Xinhua]
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This achievement marks China's "preliminary mastery of satellite monitor technology," the center said. Since there are still some extra fuel left, the satellite will continue its flight for more scientific experiments.
After being released on September 26, one day after China's third manned spacecraft was launched, the accompanying satellite was adjusted 13 times through engine ignitions so that it could focus on the orbital module of Shenzhou-VII.
The center said the accompanying satellite has being flying around the orbital module in an elliptical circle, with the farthest distance of 7.6 kilometers and the nearest of 3.8 kilometers.