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Liu Zhen

China on Friday successfully launched its first reusable satellite in a mission that aims to make progress in seed science, microgravity research and international cooperation in space, according to state media.
The Shijian-19 was successfully delivered into orbit by a Long March 2D (CZ-2D) rocket from the northwestern Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, state broadcaster CCTV said.
The new satellite represents progress in improving efficiencies – including lower costs – as well as faster testing of new technologies and conversion of research results into practical applications, the report said.
The launch “achieved a number of technological breakthroughs in the areas of reusability, high microgravity protection, high load-bearing ratios and re-entry environmental test services,” it said.
Additionally, the Shijian-19 also carried payloads from five countries, including Thailand and Pakistan, as part of China’s efforts to promote international cooperation in space, it added.


The report did not say when the satellite will return to Earth.
China launched its first recoverable satellite Jianbing-1, a military reconnaissance satellite, in 1975 in a mission that returned the satellite back to earth three days later, albeit hundreds of kilometres from the prearranged landing position.
As the third country to launch and recover a spacecraft after the United States and the Soviet Union, China has carried out dozens of satellite missions and greatly improved satellite-related technologies.
Building on this success, China has also carried out crewed space missions and soil sampling from the moon.
If successful, the Shijian-19 will be the first Chinese satellite whose re-entry vehicle would be reusable.
In 2020, China also conducted a test flight of a “reusable experimental spacecraft”, which was launched by a Long March-2F rocket and landed after orbiting Earth for two days. No details of the spacecraft have been offered, but it was rumoured to be a vehicle similar to America’s X-37B space shuttle.
The Chinese scientists are also working on reusable rockets similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, or the company’s Starship, which is currently under development.
Shijian-19’s main mission is focused on conducting space mutagenesis experiments with seeds. By exposing seeds to cosmic radiation and microgravity, the experiments may lead to mutations that could be valuable in the development of new plant varieties.
The aim is to produce new varieties that would help in the “realisation of scientific and technological self-reliance of the seed industry and the independent control of seed sources”, according to the CCTV report.
Chinese researchers also plan to test the performance of China-developed components and materials using the new satellite, CCTV said.


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News

China

Science

The Shijian-19 is delivered into orbit on a mission to make progress in seed science and international space cooperation


The Shijian-19 is delivered into orbit on a mission to make progress in seed science and international space cooperation.


Space

Jianbing

China launches first reusable satellite, with payloads from Thailand and Pakistan

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Shijian-19 is delivered into orbit on a mission to make progress in seed science and international space cooperation

The Shijian-19 is delivered into orbit on a mission to make progress in seed science and international space cooperation