Shenzhou 1

Shenzhou 1
Return capsule of Shenzhou 1 displayed at China Science and Technology Museum
Mission typeTest flight
COSPAR ID1999-061A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.25956
Mission duration21 hours, 11 minutes
Orbits completed14
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeShenzhou
Launch mass7600 kg
Start of mission
Launch date19 November 1999, 22:30 UTC
RocketLong March 2F
Launch siteJiuquan, LA-4/SLS-1
ContractorChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
End of mission
Landing date20 November 1999, 19:41 UTC
Landing siteInner Mongolia
41°N 105°E / 41°N 105°E / 41; 105
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude195 km
Apogee altitude315 km
Inclination42.6°
Period89.6 minutes
Shenzhou missions

Shenzhou 1 (simplified Chinese: 神舟一号; traditional Chinese: 神舟一號; pinyin: Shénzhōu Yīhào) launched on 19 November 1999, was the first uncrewed launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft. The spacecraft used was not equipped with a life support system or an emergency escape system. After orbiting the Earth 14 times, the command for retrofire was sent by the Yuan Wang 3 tracking ship off the coast of Namibia 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 of Wuhai, Inner Mongolia.

The first Shenzhou spacecraft was different from those later used. Instead of featuring unfolding solar panels, Shenzhou 1 was equipped with fixed solar cells. During this first flight there were also no orbit changes. According to Qi 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 the Long March 2F rocket. The only systems and capabilities tested on the spacecraft were the separation of the modules, attitude control, lifting body reentry, the heat 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 the Orbital module was equipped with a dummy ELINT package, with Shenzhou 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 the Long March 2F launcher and the Vehicle Assembly Building that would be used. After a reported[who?] propellant explosion at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (though the explosion was denied by Chinese officials) the launch was pushed back.