Beijing: China has retrieved its first reusable and returnable test satellite, Shijian-19, honouring a significant achievement in its space exploration endeavours. The satellite landed at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia at 10:39 a.m. Beijing Time on 11th October, as confirmed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The CNSA revealed that all returnable freight including advancements in plant and microorganism breeding, autonomous control, new technology validation, and space science experiments were retrieved without incident.
Shijian-19 was launched on September 27 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. During its mission, the satellite achieved several technological breakthroughs, notably in areas such as reusability, damage-free recovery, and high microgravity assurance. These advancements validate the technical hands of the next generation of high-performance reusable return-style space test platforms, achieving all planned test results.
The Shijian-19 satellite functions as an efficient platform for high microgravity research, backing studies in microgravity science and space life science. Researchers employed the satellite to conduct investigations in space breeding, validate new technologies, and perform various space science experiments, thereby facilitating the development and application of creative space technologies.
Additionally, Shijian-19 maintained multiple international cooperation payloads, improving its role as a vital medium for fostering global collaboration in space exploration and utilisation.
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