In the design doc partial graceful exit as well as rejoining a satellite that was previously exited without having to start a new node is mentioned in the Business requirements:
When a Storage Node operator wants to reduce the amount of storage space they have allocated to the network I want them to have the ability to do a “partial graceful exit which would transfer some of the data they currently have onto other nodes so they have a way of reducing their storage allocation without just deleting data and failing audits.
- In this situation the satellite will determine which pieces are removed from the node NOT the storage node.
When a Storage Node wants to rejoin the network I want them to have that ability so that they do not need to generate a new node ID via POW, go through the node vetting process, and so they can utilize their reputation.