 | This article possibly contains original research. (February 2016) |
 DFH-1 satellite | |
| Names | The East is Red 1 China 1 PRC 1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
| Operator | CAST |
| COSPAR ID | 1970-034A |
| SATCAT no. | 04382 |
| Mission duration | 19 days (achieved) 54 years, 6 months and 30 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, 13:35:45 GMT[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 the western world also known as China 1 or PRC 1,[3] was the first space satellite of the People's Republic of China (PRC), launched successfully on 24 April 1970 as part of the PRC's Dongfanghong space satellite 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 a radio transmitter which broadcast the then de facto national anthem of the same name. The broadcast lasted for 20 days while in orbit.
It was developed under the direction of Qian Xuesen, dean of the China 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 1, re-entry satellites, and geosynchronous orbit communications satellites. Sun Jiadong was responsible for the Dongfanghong 1 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.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Displaywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
launchlogwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Louis de Gouyon Matignon (20 March 2019). "Dong Fang Hong I, the First Chinese Satellite". Space Legal Issues. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.