China’s micro-satellites, including the Dark Matter Particle Explorer Satellite “Wukong” and the world’s first quantum science experimental satellite “Mozi,” lead the world, according to the Micro-satellite Innovation Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China News reported on Nov. 2.

“Wukong,” which can outperform other satellites in the search for signals of dark matter in the universe, is expected to unveil the secret of invisible material that scientists say makes up most of the mass of the universe. And “Mozi” is the world’s first quantum science experimental satellite, said Lin Baojun, vice director of the institute.

Moreover, Lin introduced that China’s first orbiting carbon observatory satellite, launched last December, has provided China with its own data on carbon emissions, which will help China’s environmental and climate research and help the country gain a bigger say on the international stage.

The vice director disclosed that 22 micro-satellites developed by the institute have already been sent into space, and 30 others are under research. And at present, several Beidou-3 satellites for high-precision navigation and positioning are ready for launch.

“If the Beidou-3 global positioning system is constructed, its positioning accuracy will reach the sub-meter level,” said Lin.

In addition, advanced satellites are now designed to be smaller, from one or two tons to only several dozen kilograms, according to Cao Jin, chief designer of the companion satellite of the Tiangong-2 space lab.

Cao added that they hope to make it possible for people to have their own micro-satellites in the future.