China successfully sent into space Nano-satellite I, the first nanotechnology-based satellite ever developed by the country independently, early Monday.

The successful launch has made China the fourth country in the world that is capable of launching nano-satellites after Russia, the United States and Britain, Chinese space experts said.

Nano-satellite I, with a weight of 25 kg and developed by the elite Tshinghua University and Aerospace Qinghua Satellite Technologies Co. Ltd., showed China had made another important progress in the research of micro satellites, according to the experts.

Based on nanotechnology the satellite features lighter weight and higher degree of integrated designing. It represents one of the most important orientations for the world's contemporary aerospace technology and forecasts the development trend that spacecraft are getting smaller and smaller, the experts said.

While heralding micro satellites as a revolution in aerospace, Chinese experts said China had treated the development of super small satellites as an important way to serve economic growth and benefit mankind by using space technologies.

Before the latest launch, China had successfully sent into orbit small satellites for the purposes of scientific experiments, resource survey, natural disaster forecast and environment prospecting and monitoring.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2004)