Experimental reusable satellite successfully launched

JIUQUAN: China sent a retrievable scientific research satellite into space in the early hours of yesterday to aid scientists back on Earth in studying microgravity and space life sciences.

In a cloud of brown smoke, the satellite, SJ-10, roared into the air on the back of a Long March 2-D rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China’s Gobi Desert at 1.38am Beijing time.

As part of a growing program of space science research, the SJ-10 project is jointly developed by 11 institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and six Chinese universities in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The bullet-shaped probe, with a designed life of 15 days, is composed of an orbital module and a re-entry capsule, together housing 19 experiments involving microgravity fluid physics, microgravity combustion, space material, space radiation effects, microgravity biological effects and space bio-technology.

These experiments include one on early-stage development of mouse embryos in microgravity to shed light on human reproduction in space, and another studying how space radiation affects the genetic stability of fruit flies and rat cells.

An experiment being run in partnership between the National Space Science Center under the CAS and the ESA will investigate the behavior of crude oil under high pressure, and also on board is equipment to test coal combustion and pollutant formation under microgravity.

The former experiment is aimed at improving scientists’ understanding of oil reservoirs buried deep underground, while the latter is expected to help enhance energy efficiency and cut emissions.

Another combustion experiment will test how materials used in spacecraft burn in space to find ways of making safer capsules for future manned missions.

“All the experiments to be conducted on SJ-10 have never been done before either at home or abroad,” said Hu Wenrui, chief scientist of the mission.

“They could lead to key breakthroughs in academic research.”

SJ-10 is the second of four scientific satellites under a CAS space program.

Unlike the other three, SJ-10 is returnable.

It is the 25th retrievable satellite of its type launched by China.— Xinhua

All the experiments to be conducted on SJ-10 have never been done before either at home or abroad.

hu Wenrui