China's first dark matter detection satellite, "Wukong," is operating normally, a month after a computer malfunction last year, experts said today.
The satellite, named after a Monkey King who is the hero in the classic Chinese tale 'Journey to the West', is also known as the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE).
DAMPE is a space telescope used for the detection of high energy gamma rays, electrons and cosmic ray ions, to aid in the search for dark matter.
The 1.9-tonne desk-sized satellite was launched in December 2015 to help scientists in lifting the "cloak of invisibility" from dark matter.
On December 29, the DAMPE team discovered abnormalities with the satellite's high-voltage power supply, which caused data transmission to fall to low levels.
"It was highly possible that a computer reset itself due to the impact of high-energy particles," said scientist Chang Jin.
"Urgent repairs were required".
After a series of order and parameter retransmissions, the satellite resumed normal function by December 31.
A month after the repair, Wukong has been sending back data normally, and no equipment on the satellite was damaged, the state-run Xinhua news agency today reported, quoting the DAMPE team.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
