Accompanying satellite launched from Tiangong-2

BEIJING - An accompanying satellite was launched from space lab Tiangong II at 7:31 am on Sunday, said Chinese scientists.

The satellite, which weighs 47 kilograms and is the size of a printer, was launched into space aboard Tiangong II on Sept 15, said the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The micro satellite is able to conduct efficient orbit control, process tasks autonomously and transmit data at high speeds, with stronger capabilities compared with the accompanying satellite of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft, it said.

At the end of October, the satellite will orbit close to Tiangong II and Shenzhou XI and take photos with the high-resolution camera installed on it.

The accompanying satellite will also carry out space experiments with Tiangong II to expand the use of space.

The Shenzhou XI spacecraft carried two astronauts into space on Oct 17 from northwest China's Gobi Desert. It docked with Tiangong II two days later.