Official announcements from the China National Space Administration or credible news outlets

China Recovers First Reusable Test Satellite Shijian-19 in Inner Mongolia at 10:39 a.m.

Oct 11, 2024, 11:13 AM

China successfully retrieved its first reusable and returnable test satellite, the Shijian-19, at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 10:39 a.m. Beijing Time on Friday. The satellite, which had been in space for two weeks since its launch on September 27, 2024, carried payloads for experiments in plant and microorganism cultivation, as well as autonomous management. The landing, confirmed by the China National Space Administration, was cushioned by a deployable airbag, and the ground recovery team successfully opened the satellite and retrieved the mission payloads. The satellite landed at 0239 UTC.