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 DFH-1 satellite | |
| Names | The East is Red 1 China 1 PRC 1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
| Operator | CAST |
| COSPAR ID | 1970-034A |
| SATCATno. | 04382 |
| Mission duration | 19 days (achieved) 55 years, 9 months and 20 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, 13:35:45GMT[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 |
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 thewestern world also known asChina 1 orPRC 1,[3] was the first space satellite of thePeople's Republic of China (PRC), launched successfully on 24 April 1970 as part of theDongfanghong 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 aradio transmitter which broadcast the thende factonational anthem of the same name. The broadcast lasted for 20 days while in orbit.
It was developed under the direction ofQian Xuesen, dean of theChina 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 ofDongfanghong 1, re-entry satellites, andgeosynchronous orbitcommunications satellites.Sun Jiadong was responsible for theDongfanghong 1 technology. In 1967,Dang Hongxin chose acopper 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.
WhileDongfanghong 1 was transported to the launch site by train, armed guards were placed between every two electricity poles. On 24 April 1970, at 13:35:45GMT,[2] aLong March 1 (CZ-1) lifted off from theJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, placing theDongfanghong 1 satellite in orbit at 13:48 GMT.[citation needed]
The primary purpose of theDong Fang Hong 1 satellite was to perform tests of satellitetechnology and take readings of theionosphere andatmosphere.[citation needed]
The satellite was similar in shape to a symmetrical 72-faced polyhedron, had a mass of 173 kg (381 lb), and had a diameter of approximately 1 m (3 ft 3 in). It spun 120 times per minute for stabilization. The outer surface was coated with a processedaluminum alloy for temperature control. The main body of the sphere had four ultrashortwave whip antennas of at least 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in length. The lower section was connected to a stage containing arocket motor. It had a shiny metallic ring added to the bottom, with brightness magnitude from +5 to +8.[citation needed]
The satellite was launched into orbit with aperigee of 441 km (274 mi), anapogee of 2,286 km (1,420 mi) andinclination of 68.42°. This near-Earth elliptical orbit has anorbital period of 114.09 minutes.[1] It hasSatellite Catalog Number 04382 andInternational Designator 1970-034A.[4]
Dong Fang Hong 1 had a design life of 20 days. During that time, it transmitted telemetry data and space readings to the Earth. On 14 May 1970, its signal stopped.
| Date (AD) | Perigee (km) | Apogee (km) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 April 1970 | 441 | 2286 |
| 23 August 1996 | 431 | 2164 |
| 1 January 2010 | 430 | 2073 |
| 15 April 2022 | 429 | 2030[6] |
With the successful launch ofDong Fang Hong 1, China became thefifth country after theSoviet Union,United States,France, andJapan to independently launch a satellite. AlthoughDong Fang Hong 1 was launched nearly 13 years afterSputnik I, its mass exceeded the combined masses of the first satellites of the other four countries. After this launch, Qian Xuesen proposed to the Chinese government that China should develop a manned space program and submitted a manned space undertaking report to whichMao Zedong personally approved.[citation needed]
On 21 April 2005, the Chinese Academy of Space Technology gathered the science and technology personnel who participated in the design, manufacture, production, and supervision ofDong Fang Hong 1. The birthplace ofDong Fang Hong 1, the Beijing Satellite Manufacturing Plant, was used as a monument. The manufacturing plant, in coordination with theShenzhou 5 manned spacecraft anniversary, created a 1:1 scale replica of theDong Fang Hong 1 satellite. It was exhibited in theBeijing Planetarium.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
