DFH-1 model
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Mission type | Technology |
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Operator | CAST |
COSPAR ID | 1970-034A |
SATCAT no. | 4382 |
Mission duration | 20 days |
Spacecraft properties | |
Launch mass | 173.0 kilograms (381.4 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 24 April 1970, 13:35:45 | UTC
Rocket | Chang Zheng 1 |
Launch site | Jiuquan LA-2 |
End of mission | |
Last contact | 14 May 1970 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Medium Earth |
Semi-major axis | 7,615.66 kilometres (4,732.15 mi) |
Eccentricity | 0.1053251 |
Perigee | 442 kilometres (275 mi) |
Apogee | 2,046 kilometres (1,271 mi) |
Inclination | 68.42 degrees |
Period | 110.24 minutes |
RAAN | 199.11 degrees |
Argument of perigee | 98.23 degrees |
Mean anomaly | 13.06 degrees |
Mean motion | 13.06 |
Epoch | 24 January 2015, 01:39:49 UTC |
Revolution no. | 10,099 |
Dongfanghong I (simplified Chinese: 东方红一号; traditional Chinese: 東方紅一號; pinyin: Dōngfānghóng Yīhào; literally: "The East is Red 1"), also known as China 1, was the People's Republic of China's first space satellite, launched successfully on 24 April 1970 (after one failed attempt on 16 November 1969) as part of the PRC's Dongfanghong space 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 song of the same name, Dōngfānghóng or "The East Is Red"; the broadcast lasted for 20 days while in orbit.
It was developed under the direction of Qian Xuesen (Tsien Hsue-shen), dean of the Chinese 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 I, re-entry satellites, and geosynchronous orbit communications satellites. Sun Jia-Dong was responsible for the Dongfanghong I 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.
While Dongfanghong I was transported to the launch site by train, armed guards were placed between every two electricity poles. On 24 April 1970 at 9:35 pm, a Long March I rocket (CZ-1) lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, placing the Dongfanghong I satellite in orbit at 9:48 pm.