Tianyuan 1 satellite, independently developed by Nanjing University of Science and Technology, was launched aboard a Long March-2D rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in North China's Shanxi Province on October 14.

It was the 100th launch mission from the center. The satellite entered its planned orbit successfully.

The 10kg satellite is the 12th micro/nano satellite developed by the university’s School of Mechanical Engineering.

The satellite will carry out in-orbit verification of domestic components. It also includes the university’s homegrown solid rock booster and cold gas thruster for testing in the space. The thruster, manufactured by 3D printing, reduces its weight by more than 30%.