The satellite "Nanligong-1", developed by Students in Nanjing University of Technology and Engineering independently has already started transmitting data.
The satellite - carried by a Long March-11 rocket - was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, state-run People's Daily reported.
Small but perfectly formed, the satellite contains all the necessary satellite systems, such as power structure and thermal, altitude and communications controls,
It is being used for Global Maritime Automatic Identification, and for demonstrating information exchanges between satellites in-orbit, the report said.