Long March 1 | Dong Fang Hong 1

Launch Provider & Rocket

• Provider: Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry (Government)
• Rocket: Long March 1 — Long March family

Mission

Dong Fang Hong 1 (DFH-1) was the first Chinese satellite. This was the first satellite launched by China on its own booster, making China the fifth nation to put a spacecraft into orbit using its own rocket. The satellite was developed under the direction of Tsien Hsue-Shen, dean of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST). The experimental satellite was a nearly spherically shaped symmetrical 72-faced polyhedron with a 1-meter diameter. It was battery-powered and carried a radio transmitter. The primary mission was to broadcast the song "Dong Fang Hong", paying tribute to Chairman Mao, and to announce the time. A total of five identical satellites were built to have backups in case of launch failures. The first satellite launched successfully.

• Type: Technology
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Launch Site

• Pad: Launch Area 2A
• Location: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
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