BEIJING, July 11 (China Space News) -- China is developing a new generation recoverable satellite for commercial use, which is expected to make its maiden flight in 2020, according to a space engineer.

Delivering a report at a science communication salon recently, Zhao Huiguang, chief designer of the recoverable satellite from the China Academy of Space Technology, said China's new generation recoverable satellite is able to return 500 kg to 600 kg payloads back to Earth from space.

So far, China has launched 25 recoverable satellites, and their usage is shifting from resources investigation to space science.

In the coming 10 years, China will launch 10 to 15 recoverable satellites to meet the demand of domestic and international customers.