China's first microgravity satellite, the SJ-10, took off into space on Wednesday, fueling the hopes of scientists that they will finally be able to find answers to questions, which range from biology to the physical properties of substances within a weightless environment.

Propelled by a Long March 2-D rocket, the recoverable satellite fired off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province at 1:38 am, and will remain in orbit for a couple of days to conduct various experiments before descending back to Earth, China Daily reported.

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"Microgravity - the environment created during weightlessness - is an extreme condition that changes every physical phenomenon we are familiar with, which is why microgravity research has been a science hot spot internationally," explained Hu Wenrui, chief scientist of the China microgravity satellite, who is also a prominent physicist and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Underscoring the importance of the experiments to be carried out by the SJ-10, Hu cited the case for liquids in which they have to be first placed in containers before they can be properly observed.

However, in a microgravity environment,  liquids can float, and therefore, making it possible for researchers to better determine its characteristics and understand its chemical reactions, which can lead to the development of new materials.

Over the years, it has been a practice for microgravity experiments to be carried out in various space facilities, which include as space stations, shuttles, research rockets or orbiting satellites.

A research rocket is considered as the cheapest option for such kind experiments, as it can create at least a 10-minute period of weightlessness for microgravity experiments. On the other hand, a typical satellite can stay a couple weeks in a gravity-free environment.

This makes the task of the China microgravity satellite both interesting and challenging, as it is designed to return to Earth after the experiments are completed.

"The recoverable satellite is a useful and efficient tool for microgravity experiments, compared with space stations and research rockets," Hu said.

He noted that space shuttles and orbiting space stations are much more costly, yet less flexible than satellites which can get the job done.

Shaped like a bullet, SJ-10 will carry out 28 scientific inquiries., eleven of which will be recovered on Earth, while the other experiments will remain in orbit.

The other tasks to be carried out by the China microgravity satellite include research in fluid physics, studies to enhance fire safety for manned spaceflight, biological experiments to improve human health, as well as experiments related to coal combustion and materials processing.

Tagschina, Microgravity Satellite, Chinese Academy of Sciences