China launches the nation’s first reusable satellite

China launched the nation's first reusable satellite on Friday afternoon, according to the China National Space Administration.

The administration said in a news release that the Shijian 19 satellite was placed into its preset orbit by a Long March 2D carrier rocket that lifted off at 6:30 pm from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, the satellite is tasked with servicing space-based mutation breeding programs and carrying out flight tests for the research of domestically developed materials and electronic components.

Its service will facilitate studies in microgravity physics and life science as well as the research and improvement of plant seeds, according to the administration.