BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A satellite research and development center started operation on its north section on Oct. 12 in east China's Shanghai, according to China Science Daily on Monday.

The Lingang Satellite Center was constructed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences which participated in the development of the Dark Matter Particle Explorer, nicknamed Wukong or Monkey King, and the quantum science satellite Mozi.

The north section of the center will undertake the manufacturing of communication, navigation and remote sensing equipment.

Its satellite assembly plant with seven halls occupying 36,000 square meters will be able to cope with the development of more than 100 micro/nano-satellites.

The construction of the center's south section started at the same time on Oct. 12 and is scheduled to be finished by 2021. It will support the volume production of more than 600 commercial micro/nano-satellites in the next 10 years.