This simulated image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Nov 12, 2022 shows China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 5 having conducted a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the combination of the space station Tiangong. (Photo: Xinhua)

China has carried out an in-orbit test of its domestically developed space-based fuel cell, according to the China Academy of Space Technology.

The academy said the cell worked well in a space environment characterized by a vacuum, extreme low temperature and microgravity during the test that took place recently outside the Tianzhou 5 cargo spaceship, which carried the device into space.

The spacecraft fuel cell is essential to the country's future manned exploration on the moon as it can provide stable power supply to landers and rovers, designers explained.