Satellite to offer new experience for Bilibili users

Among the nine satellites lifted by the Long March 11 carrier rocket's sea-based mission on Tuesday, one has drawn more attention than others as it will strive to entertain users of one of the most popular Chinese websites.

The 42-kilogram Bilibili Video Satellite is tasked with observing Earth and other celestial bodies as well as taking videos and pictures at an altitude of 535 kilometers. The results will be transmitted to Bilibili, a Shanghai-based video-sharing website that boasts 172 million active users in China, and will then be used to create educational programs about science, technology, nature and history, according to a statement from the privately owned company.

The satellite is the first video-taking spacecraft to be operated by a Chinese internet enterprise for educational purposes, said Li Ni, the company's chief operating officer. In the near future, Bilibili users, most of whom are Chinese people aged 18 to 35, will be allowed to use the satellite to take videos or pictures of places designated by them, she said.