Dark Matter Particle Explorer

Dark Matter Particle Explorer
(DAMPE)

Names	TANSUO
Mission type	High-energy Astronomy
Operator	CAS
COSPAR ID	2015-078A
SATCAT №	41173
Mission duration	3 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Payload mass	1,400 kg (3,100 lb)
Power	400 W
Start of mission
Launch date	17 December 2015 00:12 UTC
Rocket	Long March 2D, No. 2D-Y31
Launch site	Jiuquan Launch Area 4, Launch Pad 603
Contractor	SAST
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Sun-synchronous orbit
Peri	500 km (310 mi)
Apo	500 km (310 mi)
Inclination	97.4°
Error: no value specified for required parameter "apsis"
Main Gamma rays
Wavelengths	high energy gamma-ray

The Dark Matter Particle Explorer, or DAMPE, is a Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) satellite which was launched on 17 December 2015 at 00:12 UTC. The satellite was launched on a Long March 2D rocket from Launch Pad 603 at the LC-43 complex, also known as the South Launch Site, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

DAMPE is a space telescope used for the detection of high energy gamma rays, electrons and cosmic rays, to aid in the search for dark matter. The project is the result of a collaboration among universities in Italy, Switzerland, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It is nicknamed Wukong (Chinese: 悟空) after the Monkey King, who is the hero in the classic Chinese tale, "Journey to the West". Literally, "wu"(悟) means comprehension or understanding and "kong"（空）means void, so its name could also be understood as "understand the void", relates to the undiscovered dark matter.

Objectives

The scientific objectives of the mission are:

• the search and study of dark matter particles by conducting high-resolution observation of high-energy electrons and gamma rays.
• the study the origin of cosmic rays by observing the high energy electron and heavy nuclei above TeV.
• the study of the propagation and acceleration mechanism of cosmic rays by observing high-energy gamma rays.