Dong Fang Hong 1

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Dong Fang Hong 1

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, 1 month and 5 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.