WUHAN — China's first smart manufacturing facility for small satellites in the central city of Wuhan is ready for official production operations, with the first satellite rolling off the production line on May 13.

The first satellite is a typical product for mass production self-developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Ltd (CASIC).

This new development demonstrates that China is entering a phase of mass production of small satellites.

The production line has an annual capacity of 240 small satellites weighing less than one metric ton, according to CASIC Space Engineering Development Co Ltd, owner of the facility. With smart manufacturing techniques, it can improve the production efficiency of small satellites by more than 40 percent.