# Shijian-10

> Chinese recoverable satellite based on the FSW series

**Wikidata**: [Q25382439](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25382439)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shijian-10

## Summary
Shijian-10 (SJ-10) is a Chinese recoverable research satellite based on the Fanhui Shi Weixing-3 (FSW-3) series. Launched on April 5, 2016, the satellite conducted scientific operations in low Earth orbit before successfully returning to Earth via landing in Dorbod Banner on April 18, 2016. Weighing 3,600 kilograms, it was funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and operated by the Xi'an Satellite Control Center.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** April 5, 2016, at 17:38.
- **Landing Date:** April 18, 2016, at 08:30.
- **Mass:** 3,600 kilograms.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2016-023A.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 2D (serial Y36).
- **Operator:** Xi'an Satellite Control Center.
- **Funder:** Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- **Manufacturer:** China Association for Science and Technology.
- **Design Basis:** Derived from the Fanhui Shi Weixing-3 (FSW-3) reconnaissance satellite class.
- **Mission Duration:** Approximately 12.6 days (recoverable phase).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Shijian-10 satellite used for?
A: Shijian-10 is a research satellite designed for scientific experiments in space. As a recoverable satellite, it allowed for the return of experimental payloads to Earth for analysis.

### Q: When and where did Shijian-10 land?
A: The satellite landed on April 18, 2016, at 08:30 in Dorbod Banner. It was launched 13 days earlier from the Jiuquan Launch Complex.

### Q: Who operated and funded the Shijian-10 mission?
A: The mission was funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and operated by the Xi'an Satellite Control Center. The physical satellite was manufactured by the China Association for Science and Technology.

## Why It Matters
Shijian-10 represents a continuation of China's strategic utilization of recoverable satellite technology for scientific advancement. As the 10th installment in the "Shijian" (Practice) series, it bridges the gap between historical military reconnaissance technology and modern scientific research. By adapting the robust Fanhui Shi Weixing-3 (FSW-3) platform—originally designed for reconnaissance—into a vehicle for scientific research, the mission maximizes existing aerospace engineering capabilities.

The satellite's ability to return to Earth (recoverability) is a critical asset in space science, allowing researchers to physically retrieve experimental samples that have been exposed to the microgravity and radiation of low Earth orbit. This capability distinguishes it from non-recoverable satellites that can only transmit data electronically. Funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the mission underscores China's investment in practical space experimentation, contributing valuable data to the scientific community while demonstrating precise control over satellite re-entry and landing logistics in locations such as Dorbod Banner.

## Notable For
- **Recoverable Design:** Unlike many modern satellites that remain in orbit indefinitely, Shijian-10 was designed to return to Earth intact, allowing for the physical retrieval of research materials.
- **Lineage:** It is based on the Fanhui Shi Weixing-3 class, adapting reconnaissance technology for peaceful scientific research.
- **Series Milestone:** It is the 10th satellite in the Shijian series, a long-running line of Chinese experimental satellites.
- **Short-Duration Mission:** The mission had a defined operational window of roughly 12 days in Low Earth Orbit before its scheduled landing.

## Body

### Development and Specifications
Shijian-10 (also known as SJ-10, Shi Jian 10, and Shijian No. 10) is identified as a research satellite developed by the People's Republic of China. Structurally, it is based on the **Fanhui Shi Weixing-3 (FSW-3)** platform, a class originally developed for reconnaissance purposes. The satellite has a total mass of **3,600 kilograms**.

Key identifiers for the object include:
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 41448
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2016-023A
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 2016-023A
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11ckxxhbg8

### Mission Timeline
The satellite's mission lifecycle was characterized by a precise launch and recovery schedule.

*   **Launch:** Shijian-10 launched on **April 5, 2016**, at **17:38**. The launch originated from **Launch Complex 43/94** at the **Jiuquan** Satellite Launch Center.
*   **Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a **Long March 2D** rocket (serial number Y36).
*   **Orbit:** The satellite operated in **low Earth orbit**.
*   **Landing:** The mission concluded with a successful landing on **April 18, 2016**, at **08:30**. The landing occurred in **Dorbod Banner**.

### Organizational Structure
The operation and creation of Shijian-10 involved several key Chinese organizations:
*   **Funder:** The mission was financed by the **Chinese Academy of Sciences**.
*   **Manufacturer:** The satellite was built by the **China Association for Science and Technology**.
*   **Operator:** Once in orbit, the satellite was controlled by the **Xi'an Satellite Control Center**.

Official information regarding the mission is archived on the Chinese Academy of Sciences website.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.cas.cn/zt/kjzt/sjshkxsywx/sjshkxsywxzxdt/201604/t20160419_4553348.shtml)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sj-10.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report