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Dong Fang Hong 1
First satellite launched by China in 1970 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dong Fang Hong 1 (simplified Chinese: 东方红一号; traditional Chinese: 東方紅一號; pinyin: Dōngfānghóng Yīhào; lit. 'The East is Red no.1'), in the western world also known as China 1 or PRC 1,[3] was the first space satellite of the People's Republic of China (PRC), launched successfully on 24 April 1970 as part of the PRC's Dongfanghong space satellite program. It was a part of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" program. At 173 kg (381 lb), it was heavier than the first satellites of other countries. The satellite carried a radio transmitter which broadcast the then de facto national anthem of the same name. The broadcast lasted for 20 days while in orbit.
![]() | This article possibly contains original research. (February 2016) |
![]() DFH-1 satellite | |
Names | The East is Red 1 China 1 PRC 1 |
---|---|
Mission type | Technology demonstration |
Operator | CAST |
COSPAR ID | 1970-034A ![]() |
SATCAT no. | 04382 |
Mission duration | 19 days (achieved) 54 years, 2 months and 29 days (in orbit) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | CASC |
Launch mass | 173 kg (381 lb)[1] |
Dimensions | 1 m (3 ft 3 in) of diameter |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 24 April 1970, 13:35:45 GMT[2] |
Rocket | Chang Zheng 1 |
Launch site | Jiuquan, LA-5020 |
Contractor | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology |
Entered service | 24 April 1970 |
End of mission | |
Last contact | 14 May 1970 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit[1] |
Regime | Medium Earth orbit |
Perigee altitude | 441 km (274 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 2,286 km (1,420 mi) |
Inclination | 68.42° |
Period | 114.09 minutes |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/DFH-1_Satellite.jpg/640px-DFH-1_Satellite.jpg)
It was developed under the direction of Qian Xuesen, dean of the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). At the time, a total of five identical satellites were created. The first satellite launched successfully. The academy formulated a "Three-Satellite Plan" consisting of Dongfanghong 1, re-entry satellites, and geosynchronous orbit communications satellites. Sun Jiadong was responsible for the Dongfanghong 1 technology. In 1967, Dang Hongxin chose a copper antenna membrane that resolved the difficulties of broadcasting on an ultra-short wave antenna between 100 °C and −100 °C. Engineers installed a music player playing "The East is Red" on the satellite.