China on Friday launched the recoverable and reusable satellite Shijian-19 to conduct a series of experiments in low Earth orbit.

The Long March 2D rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert at 8:30 a.m. (10:30 UTC) on September 27. The hyperbolic rocket’s exhaust gasses billowed through the air as the launcher rose into the crystal clear blue sky above the spaceport. Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (SAST) announced a successful launch by determining that the payload was the Shijian-19 satellite.

Shijian-19 is a recoverable satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). The same division of China’s main space contractor is also developing a reusable crewed spacecraft for low Earth orbit (LEO) as well as lunar and deep space missions.

The Space Delta 2 spacecraft followed Shijian-19 into orbit at an altitude of 322 x 339 kilometers and an inclination angle of 41.6 degrees.

The mission aims for space growing experiments and carries a variety of plant seeds selected from various locations. Researchers hope that exposure to LEO’s radiation environment will trigger mutations that could lead to benefits such as shorter reproductive cycles and other beneficial changes.

The mission patch includes a parachute, a return capsule, and three rabbits that could be fertility contact and reference space breeding experiments.

In China, space reclamation is becoming an increasingly important area in efforts to improve agricultural production. Exposure to space conditions is thought to accelerate genetic mutations that can increase crop resistance and productivity.

The Shijian-19 mission also includes in-orbit validation tests for domestic components and raw materials, as well as the development and application of new space technologies. The reusable spacecraft is designed for use in this and other microgravity and space life science experiments.

The mission also carries payloads from five countries, including Thailand and Pakistan, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

CAST officials introduced the Shijian series of reusable satellites in 2018. It was stated that approximately 15 missions are planned for the 2019-2025 period. However, the first launch took place on Friday.

The Shijian-19 satellite, which weighs approximately 3,500 kilograms, has different configurations for different mission periods. The short-duration version, designed for missions lasting about two weeks, will return to Earth immediately. The long-duration configuration, which includes solar cells in its engine and propulsion module, will stay in orbit longer to support advanced experiments. The recoverable part can carry a payload of 500 to 600 kilograms.

The landing site was initially stated to be Seniwang Banner in Inner Mongolia, but the Dongfeng landing site, which is closer to Jiuquan and to which the Chinese Shenzhou crew is currently returning, is a more likely location.

The mission’s payload fairing was installed on the rocket 48 hours before launch. In contrast, China’s previous launch of the Shijian-10 satellite in 2016 had no payload fairing.

The Shijian-19 mission is part of China’s broader space program, which includes ambitious plans for deep space exploration, a series of experiments at the Tiangong Space Station, and advances in reusable space technologies. This launch was China’s 46th launch in 2024. This follows the launch of five satellites on the fourth Lijian-1 (Kinetica-1) solid-state rocket from CAS Space on September 24.

In late September, CASC announced plans for more than 20 launches by the end of the year. These include the Shenzhou-19 crew missions and the Tianzhou-8 cargo missions to the Tiangong space station. The new Long March 12 rocket is expected to make its first flight, and Long March 8 is expected to launch from the new Hainan Commercial Cosmodrome.