The image sent back by an accompanying satellite shows Tiangong II (top) and Shenzhou XI (bottom) in space on Oct 23, 2016. [Photo/IC]
An accompanying satellite launched from space lab Tiangong II on Sunday at 7:31 am has sent back images of the space lab and spacecraft Shenzhou XI.
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.
Lyu Congmin, a scientist with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that this image was taken by the satellite at a distance of some 29 meters from Tiangong II and Shenzhou XI.
Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Yong used cameras to record the videos of the accompanying satellite flying about 100 meters beneath the Tiangong II and Shenzhou XI in space.
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.
It will also carry out space experiments with Tiangong II to expand the use of space. (China Daily)
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