China successfully trials first reusable satellites to recover scientific payloads
Reusable rockets have disrupted the space industry, could reusable satellites do the same?
Key takeaways
- The China National Space Administration said the Shijian-19 satellite met its targets on various technological fronts, from reusability to payload ratio and re-entry.
- Seeds from Hainan and Anhui provinces were sent aloft and exposed to space conditions to induce mutations.
- According to state news agency Xinhua, reusable satellites will help to cut space technology costs for China and enable technology to be tested faster, transforming research for practical applications.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2024) 'China successfully trials first reusable satellites to recover scientific payloads', 311 Institute, 26 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/china-successfully-trials-first-reusable-satellites-to-recover-scientific-payloads/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
We’ve heard a lot about reusable rockets, but what about reusable satellites … ? Well, now in a first China recovered its first reusable experimental satellite on Friday, retrieving its scientific payload and equipment after two weeks in orbit. The China National Space Administration said the Shijian-19 satellite met its targets on various technological fronts, from reusability to payload ratio and re-entry.
“Shijian-19 is … an efficient platform for research in microgravity science and space life sciences,” state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday. “Additionally, the Shijian-19 satellite provided an in-orbit flight test verification opportunity for domestically produced components and materials. The flight tests verified the technical specifications of a new generation of high-performance, reusable space experiment platforms.”
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The satellite is part of a series developed by the Fifth Academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group for scientific exploration and experiments.
It was launched on September 27 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre aboard a Long March 2D rocket but officials did not say how it returned to Earth and carried various payloads, including experiments on plant and microbial breeding, technology verification and space science. Seeds from Hainan and Anhui provinces were sent aloft and exposed to space conditions to induce mutations.
Large numbers of the Shijian series of satellites have been launched.
In the past, data and materials from satellites were transferred to a disposable return capsule after completing their missions in orbit, which were typically no more than a month, and recyclable satellites require even higher levels of design propulsion, thermal protection, and navigation systems.
According to state news agency Xinhua, reusable satellites will help to cut space technology costs for China and enable technology to be tested faster, transforming research for practical applications.
Reusable, highly reliable, and safe space vehicles are important future directions in space exploration, and so now both the Chinese government and numerous private companies are actively exploring reusable rocket technology.
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Why does this matter?
Reusable rockets have disrupted the space industry, could reusable satellites do the same?
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- first reusable experimental satellite scmp.com
- Shijian series of satellites scmp.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 26 September 2024. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2024). China successfully trials first reusable satellites to recover scientific payloads. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/china-successfully-trials-first-reusable-satellites-to-recover-scientific-payloads/
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