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On July 23, 2015, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced that the flight model development and environmental tests for the payloads of the Shijian‑10 recoverable scientific experiment satellite had been completed and delivered to the satellite system, laying a solid foundation for its launch in the first half of 2016.
As one of the first five scientific satellites approved under the CAS Strategic Priority Program on Space Science, the Shijian‑10 Satellite serves as an efficient, open and comprehensive space experiment platform for research on microgravity science and space life science.
Academician Hu Wenrui from the Institute of Mechanics, CAS, and Chief Scientist of the Shijian‑10 project, stated that the mission comprises 19 scientific experiments covering six major fields: microgravity fluid physics, microgravity combustion, space materials science, space radiation effects, gravitational biological effects, and space biotechnology.
Leveraging China’s mature recoverable satellite technologies, Shijian‑10 is tailored to align with national strategic scientific and technological goals in energy, agriculture, public health and other key sectors, while addressing critical technical needs such as spacecraft fire prevention. The satellite aims to drive breakthroughs in high‑tech fields including terrestrial bioengineering and advanced materials, as well as fundamental research in life sciences, and deliver a batch of internationally advanced, innovative major scientific and technological achievements with independent intellectual property rights.
Shijian‑10 consists of a reentry capsule and an orbital module. The reentry capsule returns to Earth after 12 days in orbit, while the orbital module continues operating for another three days, bringing the satellite’s total designed service life to 15 days. Eight fluid physics experiments are conducted in the orbital module, and the remaining 11 scientific experiments are carried out in the reentry capsule.
In the early morning of February 24, 2016, China’s first dedicated microgravity scientific experiment satellite, Shijian‑10, arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, marking the final stage of preparations for its launch in April of the same year. Developed under the overall management by the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Shijian‑10 is specially designed for microgravity and space life science research.
As planned, taking advantage of special space conditions such as microgravity, the satellite will complete 19 experiments across six disciplines during its 15‑day orbital flight. After the mission, it will carry experimental samples back to Earth, providing critical data for studying material movement laws in microgravity and complex radiation environments.
In short, Shijian‑10 functions as a temporary laboratory in outer space.
Transporting such a sophisticated laboratory over long distances to the launch site required strict temperature and humidity control, as well as stable and secure handling. Staff members conducted meticulous pre‑packaging preparations to ensure zero risks at every step.
According to Li Chunhua, Deputy Chief Designer of Shijian‑10 at the CASC Fifth Academy, the successful development of the satellite provides China with a dedicated space experiment platform for microgravity and life science research, equipping the country with new technical capabilities for orbital microgravity studies.
Scientists worldwide have long sought ways to create microgravity conditions for research. Platforms such as parabolic aircraft and sounding rockets can only provide microgravity for several minutes or less. For long‑duration experiments, specialized scientific satellites like Shijian‑10 are indispensable.
Unlike ordinary satellites, Shijian‑10 is a recoverable spacecraft. Its exclusive reentry capsule returns to the Earth’s surface upon mission completion, enabling the delivery of space experiment samples and research findings back to the ground.
China has well‑established satellite reentry technology, with 24 successfully launched and recovered recoverable satellites to date. As the 25th recoverable satellite to be launched, Shijian‑10 features extensive adaptive and innovative designs to accommodate its unique microgravity experiment requirements.
“The satellite has a highly distinctive configuration compared with other spacecraft,” explained Li Chunhua. “It requires no fairing during launch, as its own structure serves as the protective fairing. In addition, due to its short mission duration, the satellite is powered by chemical batteries instead of conventional solar panels, giving it a warhead‑like shape.”
Another core challenge during development was enabling multiple experimental payloads to operate collaboratively in space without mutual interference. Life science experiments, in particular, demand precise temperature control throughout all mission phases. Researchers therefore implemented rigorous thermal management for the satellite during launch, orbital operation and reentry.
