The Shijian-19 satellite was recently placed into orbit thanks to the launch of a Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwestern China on September 27, 2024, at 6:30 pm. This mission, reported by Xizang media, is significant as it involves sending a total of 520 grams of 16 different types of highland barley and rapeseed to space for breeding experiments, indicating progress in establishing a laboratory focused on plateau space breeding.

Space breeding leverages the extreme conditions found in space, such as microgravity and heightened radiation levels, to induce genetic mutations in seeds. After a certain period in orbit, these seeds will be returned to Earth for evaluation and the development of enhanced plant varieties, which generally result in better yields.

In May 2024, the world's first key laboratory for plateau space breeding was inaugurated in Cona, located in the Xizang Autonomous Region of Southwest China. This initiative, supported by collaborative efforts from research teams based in Anhui and Shaanxi Provinces, aims to foster new agricultural developments in Xizang, thereby improving both agricultural production and regional stability.

The project primarily focuses on cultivating local agricultural varieties that thrive in the plateau conditions, including barley, Tibetan medicinal plants, chili peppers, and rapeseed. Additionally, it seeks to assess germplasm resources that are suitable for the harsh climatic challenges of high-altitude, cold, and arid regions, exploring options for forage, ecological grasses, Tibetan medicine, and various fruits and vegetables.

As a milestone, the first phase of the plateau space forage selection project has been completed. This phase includes the planting of six varieties of space forage across 30 acres, which has now progressed into the field management phase dedicated to gathering experimental data. Future research projects are set to begin incrementally from 2025.