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 Return capsule of Shenzhou 1 displayed atChina Science and Technology Museum | |
| Mission type | Test flight |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1999-061A |
| SATCATno. | 25956 |
| Mission duration | 21 hours, 11 minutes |
| Orbits completed | 14 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Shenzhou |
| Launch mass | 7600 kg |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 19 November 1999, 22:30 UTC |
| Rocket | Long March 2F |
| Launch site | Jiuquan,LA-4/SLS-1 |
| Contractor | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 20 November 1999, 19:41 UTC |
| Landing site | Inner Mongolia 41°N105°E / 41°N 105°E /41; 105 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 195 km |
| Apogee altitude | 315 km |
| Inclination | 42.6° |
| Period | 89.6 minutes |
Shenzhou missions | |
Shenzhou 1 (simplified Chinese:神舟一号;traditional Chinese:神舟一號;pinyin:Shénzhōu Yīhào) was the first uncrewed launch of theShenzhou spacecraft, launched on 19 November, 1999. The spacecraft used was not equipped with a life support system, but did come with an emergency escape system. After orbiting the Earth 14 times, the command for retrofire was sent by theYuan Wang 3 tracking ship off the coast ofNamibia at 18:49 UTC. After a successful reentry it landed about 415 kilometres (258 mi) east of its launch pad and 110 kilometres (68 mi) north-west ofWuhai,Inner Mongolia.
The first Shenzhou spacecraft was different from those later used. Instead of featuring unfoldingsolar panels,Shenzhou 1 was equipped with fixedsolar cells. During this first flight there were also no orbit changes. According toQi Faren, the chief designer of the spacecraft, only 8 of the 13 sub-systems on board the spacecraft were operational. Shenzhou 1 was designed primarily to test theLong March 2F rocket. The only systems and capabilities tested on the spacecraft were the separation of the modules,attitude control,lifting bodyreentry, theheat shield, and ground recovery.
The spacecraft is thought to have carried 100 kilograms (220 lb) of seeds to investigate the effects on them of the space environment. It is also thought that the front of theOrbital module was equipped with a dummyELINT package, withShenzhou 2 onwards equipped with fully functional models.
It was announced in June 1999 that the flight would take place in October of that year. At about the same time images were released on a Chinese military internet forum of theLong March 2F launcher and theVehicle Assembly Building that would be used. After a reported[who?] propellant explosion at theJiuquan Satellite Launch Center (though the explosion was denied by Chinese officials) the launch was pushed back.
