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Dong Fang Hong 1
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Status
Launch Successful
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
Description
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.
Details
Type
Technology
Orbit
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Location
Unknown
Date
Fri, Apr 24, 1970, 13:35
Rocket