China Credit - © Mark Wade

• China. The amazing history of rocket and space development in China.

• Chinese Manned Space Program: Behind Closed Doors. Ed Grondine's account of China's 'Long March' to an independent manned space capability.

• China's Space Activities. The official short and long range plan for the Chinese Space Program as of November 2000.

• Haikou. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Location: Haikou Space Center, Hainan. Latitude: 19°19' N. Longitude: 109°48' E.

• Harbin. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang, Manchuria. Latitude: 45°45' N. Longitude: 126°41' E.

• Jingyu. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Latitude: 42°12' N. Longitude: 126°30' E.

• Jiuquan. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Location: Jiuquan Space Center. Latitude: 41°19' N. Longitude: 100°19' E.

• Mace Taiwan. Agency: US Army. Operating Country: USA. Type: IRCM Base. Location: Taiwan. Latitude: 24°24' N. Longitude: 120°30' E.

• Shijiedu. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Location: Anhui. Latitude: 30°57' N. Longitude: 119°13' E.

• Taiyuan. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Location: Taiyuan Space Center, Wuzhai. Latitude: 37°30' N. Longitude: 112°36' E.

• Xichang. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Location: Xichang Space Center. Latitude: 28°15' N. Longitude: 102°01' E.

• 761. - sounding rocket - Status: Out of production. Lightweight two-stage solid propellant sounding rocket. Designation indicates development was authorised in January 1976. Evidently replaced both the HP2 and HP6 from about 1980 on. Used for routine measurement of the upper atmosphere.

• Chang Cheng 1. - winged orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 1988. The Chang Cheng 1 (Great Wall 1) vertical takeoff / horizontal landing two-stage space shuttle was a compromise design created jointly by Shanghai Astronautics Bureau 805 (now the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology) and Institute 604 of the Air Ministry in 1988. An expendable booster, consisting of three of Shanghai's planned liquid oxygen/kerosene modular boosters, would boost the winged second stage shuttle to a high altitude. The engines of the winged shuttle stage would take it to orbit. This approach would allow a first flight to be made in 2008.

• Chinese RLV. - VTOVL orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 2001. By the late 2000 a leading candidate for China’s first reusable launch vehicle was a CALT-designed two-stage fully reusable rocket similar to the Kistler K-1.

• CZ-1. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. China began development of the CZ-1 (Changzheng-1 = Long March-1) launch vehicle in the second half of 1965. The project was undertaken with the specific objective of launching China’s first satellite, the DFH-1. The CZ-l’s first and second stages were adapted from those of the DF-3 intermediate range ballistic missile. The third stage used a new-design solid rocket motor.

• CZ-1C. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Development ended 1988. Proposed launch vehicle derived from the CZ-1, with a new upper stage. Never flown.

• CZ-1D. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. Proposed launch vehicle derived from the CZ-1, but with a new N2O4/UDMH second stage. Used for a suborbital re-entry vehicle test but never flown on an orbital mission.

• CZ-1M. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. Proposed launch vehicle derived from CZ-1, with an Italian Mage upper stage. Never flown.

• CZ-2 Spaceplane Launcher. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 1978. Tsien’s manned spacecraft design proposed in the late 1970’s was a winged spaceplane, launched by a CZ-2 core booster with two large strap-on boosters. It so strongly resembled the cancelled US Dynasoar of 15 years earlier that US intelligence analysts wondered if it wasn’t based on declassified Dynasoar technical information.

• CZ-2A. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. The CZ-2 was originally designed for launch of the FSW-1 recoverable military reconnaissance satellite. Development of the launcher was begun in 1970 by the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) under president Ren Xinmin. The DF-5 intercontinental ballistic missile was the starting point for the design. Four gimballed liquid rocket engines with a total ground thrust of 2746 kN (280 tonnes) powered the first stage at lift-off. Second stage propulsion consisted of one fixed main engine with a vacuum thrust of 716 kN (73 tonnes thrust) and four sets of swivelling vernier engines with a total thrust of 46 kN (4.7 tonnes thrust). The computerised guidance system used an inertial platform. The development team was led by Tu Shou'e.

• CZ-2C. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. The CZ-2C was the definitive low earth orbit launch vehicle derived from DF-5 ICBM. It became the basis for an entire family of subsequent Long March vehicles. Many adaptive modifications were made to the configuration of the CZ-2A to handle a variety of new satellites and upper stages. The CZ-2C had improved technical performance and payload capacity compared to the CZ-2A, with later versions having a payload capability of 2,800 kg into a 200 km circular orbit.

• CZ-2C/SD. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. On April 28, 1993, the Chinese Great Wall Industrial Corporation and Motorola signed a launch services contract for multiple launch of Iridium communications satellites using CZ-2C/SD launch vehicles. The main differences between the CZ-2C and the CZ-2C/SD were: a modified fairing with a diameter of 3.35m; a newly developed Smart Dispenser; improved second stage fuel and oxidizer tanks; and second stage engines with higher expansion ratio nozzles.

• CZ-2D. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. The Long March 2D was a two-stage launch vehicle with storable propellants, suitable for launching a variety of low earth orbit satellites. Developed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the CZ-2D had a typical payload capability of 3,500kg in a 200 km circular orbit. Its first stage was identical to that of the CZ-4. The second stage was essentially the same as that of the CZ-4, except for an improved vehicle equipment bay.

• CZ-2E. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. The CZ-2E added four liquid rocket booster strap-ons to the basic CZ-2 core to achieve a low earth orbit payload capability approaching the Russian Proton, US Titan, or European Ariane rockets. The Long March 2E had a maximum payload capability of 9,500 kg to low earth orbit.

• CZ-2E(A). - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 2000. Planned upgrade of CZ-2E with enlarged liquid boosters. Probably intended for launch of Chinese space station modules in the 21st century. Fairing was 5.20 m in diameter and 12.39 m long.

• CZ-2F. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. Man-rated version of CZ-2E, designed for launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft. Little difference externally. Modifications were related to improved redundancy of systems, strengthened upper stage to handle large 921-1 spacecraft fairing and launch escape tower. President Jiang Zemin gave the name 'Shenjian' ('Divine Arrow') to the CZ-2F after the successful launch of the Shenzhou-3 mission.

• CZ-3. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. The Long March 3 was a three-stage launch vehicle designed for delivery of satellites of 1,500 kg mass into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The first and second stages were based on the CZ-2C, and designed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. The majority of the technology and flight hardware used in the CZ-3 had been qualified and proven on the CZ-2C. The third stage, manufactured by CALT, was equipped with an LOX/LH2 cryogenic engine. Long March 3 was also capable of placing spacecraft into an elliptical or circular low earth orbit and sun synchronous orbit.

• CZ-3A. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. The Long March 3A was a three-stage launch vehicle. By incorporating the mature technologies of the CZ-3 and adding a more powerful cryogenic third stage and more capable control system, the CZ-3A had a greater geosynchronous transfer orbit capability, greater flexibility for attitude control, and better adaptability to a variety of launch missions.

• CZ-3B. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. The Long March 3B was the most powerful Long March launch vehicle. It could inject a 5,000 kg payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The CZ-3B was developed on the basis of the CZ-3A, but had enlarged propellant tanks, larger fairing, and four boosters strapped onto the core stage. The CZ-3B boosters were identical to those of the CZ-3A.

• CZ-3B(A). - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 1999. In February 1999 the China Great Wall Company announced it was developing more powerful Long March rockets using larger-size liquid propellant strap-on motors. The Long March 3B(A) would be available in 2002.

• CZ-3C. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Development ended 1997. Launch vehicle combining CZ-3B core with two boosters from CZ-2E. The standard fairing was 9.56 m long, 4.0 m in diameter. On August 23, 2001, the CZ-3C launcher passed its critical design review. CZ-3C development had begun in 1995 but was suspended in 1996-2000 due to the 1996 CZ-3B failure.

• CZ-4A. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. The CZ-4 was developed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. Its first stage was essentially the same as that of the CZ-3 and the second stage was identical to that of the CZ-3. The CZ-4's third stage, however, was a development, featuring a thin wall common intertank bulkhead tankage and two-engine cluster with both engines gimbling about two perpendicular axes. The third stage engine cluster connected to the tank aft bulkhead through the engine bay. The CZ-4 had two payload fairing configurations: Type-A and Type-B. The CZ-4 was designed for launching satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits.

• CZ-4B. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. The CZ-4B introduced in 1999 was an improved model of the CZ-4B with an enhanced third stage and fairing. It measured 44.1 metres in length with a first stage thrust of 300 tonnes.

• CZ-NGLV-200. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series small launcher would use the 2.25 m diameter module as the first stage and a single upper stage of the same diameter (probably the existing YF-73 stage of the CZ-3). Payload was given as 1.5 tonnes into low earth orbit. First launch was expected after 2008. Although the configuration was not shown at the Wuzhai Air Show in 2002 it re-emerged at the FAI in 2003. It seemed to be in competition with the all-solid-propellant KT-1, KT-2, and KT-2A series.

• CZ-NGLV-320. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series medium launcher would use the 3.35 m diameter module and a new 3.35 m diameter second stage as the core vehicle. Either two or four 2.25 m diameter modules would be used as strap-ons. Payload to low earth orbit would be three tonnes with two strap-ons and 10 tonnes with four strap-ons. For geosynchronous or planetary missions the 5.0-m diameter HO fourth stage would be used. Payload to geosynchronous transfer orbit would be 1.5 tonnes with two strap-ons and six tonnes with four strap-ons. By late 2002 this version was no longer mentioned, then it re-emerged at the FAI in Bremen in 2003. However it was indicated that it had a lower priority since the payload range was covered by the existing CZ series of vehicles. Specifically it was said there was no plan to replace the CZ-2F as the launch vehicle for the Shenzhou manned spacecraft with the new series.

• CZ-NGLV-504. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The 504 configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m diameter core stage with four 3.35 m diameter stages as strap-ons. Payload was given as 25 tonnes to low earth orbit. A standard large 5.2 m diameter fairing tops the vehicle. It would be used to launch the Chinese Space Laboratory in 2010.

• CZ-NGLV-504/HO. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The 504/HO configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m core stage, topped by the 5.0 m upper stage, together with 4 x 3.35 m strap-on stages. First flight of this version was expected after 2010. Payload was given as 14 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

• CZ-NGLV-522. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The 522 configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m diameter core stage with 2 x 2.25 m plus 2 x 3.35 m strap-on stages. Payload is estimated as 18-20 tonnes to low earth orbit.

• CZ-NGLV-522/HO. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The 522/HO was the 'all up' baseline configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series. It would use the 5.0 m core stage, topped by the 5.0 m upper stage, together with 2 x 2.25 m plus 2 x 3.35 m strap-on stages. It was announced in 2003 that it would be first to fly, with a launch before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. It would be used for launch of large communications satellites. Payload is estimated as 10-12 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

• CZ-NGLV-540. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The 540 configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m diameter core stage with four 2.25 m diameter stages as strap-ons. Payload was given as 10 tonnes to low earth orbit. A standard short 5.2 m diameter fairing tops the vehicle.

• CZ-NGLV-540/HO. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: In development. The 540/HO configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m core stage, topped by the 5.0 m upper stage, together with 4 x 2.25 m strap-on stages. First flight of this version was expected after 2010. Payload was given as 6 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

• DF-1. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Chinese version of Soviet R-2.

• DF-11. - short range ballistic missile - Export designation M-11, assembled as Shaheen in Pakistan.

• DF-15. - intermediate range ballistic missile - The M-9 is the export version of the DF-15.

• DF-2. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Status: Out of production. First Chinese IRBM. The starting point for the design were R-12 construction drawings and a single exemplar of the missile provided by the Soviet Union prior to the break with Moscow in 1960. Following protracted development the design was accepted by the Chinese military for service in 1970.

• DF-21. - intermediate range ballistic missile - JL-1 land based version. 2 stage vehicle.

• DF-3. - intermediate range ballistic missile - The DF-3 project began in 1964 with the objective of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the Philippines (earlier referred to as the DF-1).

• DF-3 Tsien. - intercontinental ballistic missile - Status: Development ended 1962. Development of the original DF-3 10,000 km missile was undertaken personally by Tsien Hue Shen, the father of Chinese rocketry, but faced insurmountable technical and management difficulties. It was cancelled and replaced by the DF-4.

• DF-31. - intercontinental ballistic missile - Version of JL-2. Mobile, solid propellant, land-based, medium range, three-stage ballistic missile. Basis for the KT-1 light orbital launch vehicle.

• DF-4. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Development of the DF-4 began in 1964 with the objective of fielding a ballistic missile capable of hitting Guam. The technical solution was to add a second stage to the DF-3 IRBM.

• DF-41. - intercontinental ballistic missile - New Chinese solid propellant, mobile ICBM. The DF-41 is expected to be a longer-range version of the DF-31. It is still in the development stage, with deployment not expected until after 2010.

• DF-5. - intercontinental ballistic missile - Development of the the DF-5 began in 1964. The goal was an ICBM capable of reaching the United States. Although deployed in very limited numbers as an ICBM, this rocket became the basis for an entire family of space launch vehicles and the foundation of the Chinese space program.

• DF-57. - intercontinental ballistic missile -

• FB-1. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Out of production. The FB-1, like the CZ-2 launch vehicle begun the following year, was a two-stage booster developed from the DF-4 intercontinental ballistic missile. Payload for the booster was the JSSW, believed to have been a television-transmission military reconnaissance satellite. The incredible decision to develop two nearly identical rockets concurrently can be blamed on the turbulent factional politics after the Cultural Revolution.

• FL-1. - tactical cruise missile -

• FL-2. - tactical cruise missile - Ship-launched; smaller, lighter than Silkworm but similar.

• FL-7. - tactical cruise missile - Ship-to-ship. Evolved from FL-2.

• H-2 HTOHL. - winged orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 1988. The H-2 horizontal takeoff / horizontal landing two-stage reusable space shuttle was proposed by Institute 601 of the Air Ministry in 1988. The first stage would used air breathing engines to accelerate the rocket-powered second stage to release velocity. This ambitious design would leapfrog China ahead of other spacefaring nations, but would be available no earlier than 2015. It was decided the concept was beyond Chinese technical capability, and it was not pursued further.

• HJ-73. - anti-tank missile - Derived from Soviet AT-3 Sagger. Hong-Jian=Red Arrow.

• HJ-8. - anti-tank missile - Indigenous design, derived from Soviet AT-3 Sagger. Fired from a tripod system. HJ, Hong Jian = Red Arrow, anti armor missile.

• HN-5. - surface-to-air missile - HN, Hong Nu = Red Cherry, short range SAM, similar to SA-7.

• HP2. - sounding rocket - Status: Out of production. Two-stage solid propellant sounding rocket. Evidently used two of the first stage motors developed for the T-7A in tandem. Replaced the T-7 from 1970 on. Used for routine measurement of the upper atmosphere.

• HP6. - sounding rocket - Status: Out of production. Lightweight single stage solid propellant sounding rocket. Used for routine measurement of the upper atmosphere.

• HQ-2J. - surface-to-air missile - HQ, Hong Qi = Red Flag, medium/long range SAM, similar to SA-2.

• HQ-61. - surface-to-air missile - Indigenous design. Naval version known as RF-61.

• HQ-61M. - surface-to-air missile - HQ, Hong Qi = Red Flag, medium/long range SAM.

• HQ-7. - surface-to-air missile - Similar to French Crotale.

• HY-1. - anti-ship missile - The first test launch was made in December 1966, but failed due to radar system problems. The second test did not come until three years of redesign and tests were completed, in October 1970. Derivative of Soviet P-15 Styx. HY-1 is coastal defense version, SY-1 is the ship-launched version.

• HY-2. - short range cruise missile - Development of the HY-2 radar-guided version was conducted in 1965-1970. It became widely exported in the 1980's/1990's. An HY-2A version was developed in the early 1980's with infrared homing.

• HY-4. - anti-ship missile - Improved HY-2, primarily for coastal defense but air-launch version available. Exported as C201W.

• HY-5. - air-to-surface missile - Ship-launched. Certified in 1987. Active monopulse radar seeker.

• JL-1. - intermediate range ballistic missile - 2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x DF-21 + 1 x DF-21 St2

• JL-2. - intercontinental ballistic missile - DF-23, DF-31 are land based versions.

• KS-1 China. - surface-to-air missile - Indigenous high altitude SAM. Designed for targets at medium-high altitude, including high-altitude reconnaisance aircraft, unmanned reconnaisance aircraft, helicopters, and air-surface missile (travelling at under 750m/s and maneuvering at under 4-5g). It seems not be launched vertically like Russian SA-10.

• KT-1. - all-solid orbital launch vehicle - Status: In production. China's first solid propellant orbital launch vehicle was derived from the first and second stages of the DF-31 ICBM with a new solid third stage. The vehicle was named Kaituozhe-1 (Explorer-1) and was capable of putting 100 kg into polar orbits.

• KT-2. - all-solid orbital launch vehicle - Status: Development ended 2002. Intermediate all-solid propellant Chinese launch vehicle. Model first displayed at Wuzhai in the fall of 2002. Evidently consists of new large diameter first stage motor, topped by the first two stages of the basic KT-1 vehicle. All figures are rough estimates.

• KT-2A. - all-solid orbital launch vehicle - Status: Development ended 2002. Heavy all-solid propellant Chinese launch vehicle. Model first displayed at Wuzhai in the fall of 2002. Consists of two parallel first-stage booster motors derived new the first stage motor of the KT-1, a larger-diameter core second stage motor like that of the KT-2, a new larger-diameter third stage motor, and an enormous new fairing. All figures are rough estimates.

• M-7. - short range ballistic missile - Surface-to-surface derivative of the HQ-2 air defense missile. US designation is CSS-8. Exported to Iran as Tamdar & Tondar in Iran.

• PL-10. - air-to-air missile - Air-to-air variant of HQ-61 SAM

• PL-2. - air-to-air missile - Licence built R-13. PL, Pi Li = Thunderbolt

• PL-2A. - air-to-air missile - Derivative of Soviet K-13 with early generation IR seeker, canard steering.

• PL-3. - air-to-air missile - Enlarged version of PL-2

• PL-4. - air-to-air missile - PL-2/3 variant

• PL-5. - air-to-air missile - AIM-9G look-alike

• PL-5B. - air-to-air missile - Has off-boresight firing capability. Series production began in 1986.

• PL-7. - air-to-air missile - Magic look-alike

• PL-8. - air-to-air missile - Python 3 look-alike

• PL-9. - air-to-air missile - Larger version of PL-5. All-aspect capability seeker. Production certified in 1991. Available for export. Similar to US Army Chaparral. Naval derivative designated Type 88C.

• Project 921. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 1992. In 1992 Xiandong Bao of the Shanghai Astronautics Bureau revealed plans for a modular family of modern rockets to support future Chinese manned space activities. The entire family would be based on a Lox/Kerosene booster stage of 306 tonnes mass, and a Lox/LH2 upper stage of 57 tonnes mass.

• T-7. - sounding rocket - Status: Out of production. China's first sounding rocket and first indigenously-built sounding rocket, launched from 1960-1965. Evidently consisted of a single liquid propellant stage.

• T-7A. - sounding rocket - Status: Out of production. Boosted version of China's first indigenously-built sounding rocket. Included solid propellant booster. The upper stage and payload were recovered by parachute and reused. Launches began in 1965. Consisted of a solid propellant booster mated to the basic liquid propellant T-7. Flown from 1965 to the end of the 1960's.

• V-2 VTOHL. - winged orbital launch vehicle - Status: Design 1988. The V-2 vertical takeoff / horizontal landing two-stage reusable space shuttle was proposed by Beijing Department 11 of the Air Ministry in 1988. The first stage would use liquid oxygen/kerosene engines, while the second would use liquid oxygen/hydrogen engines. Both stages would be winged, and first flight would be no earlier than 2015.

• YJ-1. - anti-ship missile - Anti-ship. YJ, Ying Ji = Strike Eagle, air to ship missiles

• YJ-2. - anti-ship missile - Anti-ship cruise missile. YJ, Ying Ji = Strike Eagle, air to ship missiles. Also ship-launched version, upgraded C802 with turbojet sustainer. Active monopulse radar seeker.

• Zhinui. - sounding rocket - Single stage vehicle consisting of 1 x ZN-1

• Beidou. - Navigation

• Chang Cheng 1. - Manned Spaceplane

• Chang'e. - Planetary Lunar Orbiter

• Chinese ASAT. - Military ASAT

• Chinese Lunar Base. - Manned Lunar Base

• Chinese Manned Capsule 1978. - Manned Spacecraft

• Chinese Space Laboratory. - Manned Space Station

• Chinese Space Suit. - Manned Space Suits

• CX-1. - Technology Communications

• CZ-3A-3. - Tug

• CZ-NGLV-HO. - Tug

• DFH-1. - Technology Communications

• DFH-2. - Communications Military

• DFH-3. - Communications

• DFH-4. - Communications Military

• Disaster Monitoring Constellation. - Surveillance Civilian

• Double Star. - Earth Magnetosphere

• Earthquake Monitoring Satellite. - Earth Seismology

• FH-1. - Communications

• FSW. - Surveillance Military

• FY-1. - Earth Weather

• FY-2. - Earth Weather

• FY-3. - Earth Weather

• H-2 HTOHL. - Manned Spaceplane

• HY-1. - Earth Landsat

• JSSW. - Surveillance Military

• OlympicSat. - Technology

• Project 581. - Technology

• Project 921-1. -

• Project 921-2. - Manned Space Station

• Shenzhou. - Manned Spacecraft

• Shenzhou Circumlunar. - Manned Lunar Flyby

• Shenzhou OM. - Manned Spacecraft Module

• Shenzhou RV. - Manned Spacecraft Module

• Shenzhou SM. - Manned Spacecraft Module

• Shiyan. - Surveillance Civilian

• Shuguang 1. - Manned Spacecraft

• SJ. - Technology Communications

• SJ-6. - SIGINT

• SST. - Solar

• Tian Jiao 1. - Manned Spaceplane

• Tsien Spaceplane 1949. - Manned Spaceplane

• Tsien Spaceplane 1978. - Manned Spaceplane

• V-2 VTOHL. - Manned Spaceplane

• Yaogan. - Radarsat Military

• ZY. - Earth Landsat

• Anders. - William Alison (Bill) Anders American Pilot Astronaut. Born 17 October 1933. Number of Flights: 1.00. Total Time: 6.13 days.

• Bei Shizhang. - Bei Shizhang Chinese Scientist.

• Cai Jintao. - Cai Jintao Chinese Engineer. Born 1 July 1908. Died 28 November 1996.

• Cai Qiao. - Cai Qiao Chinese Scientist. Born 11 October 1897. Died 29 July 1990.

• Chai Hongliang. - Chai Hongliang Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Chen Quan. - Chen Quan Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Deng Qingming. - Deng Qingming Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Dong Xiaohai. - Dong Xiaohai Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Du Jincheng. - Du Jincheng Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1949.

• Fang Guojun. - Fang Guojun Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1934.

• Fei Junlong. - Fei Junlong Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born May 1966. Number of Flights: 1.00. Total Time: 4.81 days.

• Hu Zhanzi. - Hu Zhanzi Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Huang Weilu. - Huang Weilu Chinese Engineer.

• Jing Haipeng. - Jing Haipen Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born October 1966.

• Kuang Dingbo. - Kuang Dingbo Chinese Engineer.

• Li Qinglong. - Li Qinglong Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born August 1962.

• Li Shichang. - Li Shichang Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1935.

• Li Xun. - Li Xun Chinese Engineer. Born 20 November 1913. Died 20 March 1983.

• Liang Shoupan. - Liang Shoupan Chinese Engineer.

• Liang Sili. - Liang Sili Chinese Engineer.

• Liu Buoming. - Liu Buoming Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born September 1966.

• Liu Chongfu. - Liu Chongfu Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1941.

• Liu Wang. - Liu Wang Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1970.

• Liu Zhongyi. - Liu Zhongyi Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Lu Xiangxiao. - Lu Xiangxiao Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1936.

• Lucid. - Dr Shannon Matilda Wells Lucid American Mission Specialist Astronaut. Born 14 January 1943. Number of Flights: 5.00. Total Time: 223.12 days.

• Ma Zizhong. - Ma Zizhong Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Meng Senlin. - Meng Senlin Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1947.

• Min Guirong. - Min Guirong Chinese Engineer.

• Nie Haisheng. - Nie Haisheng Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 13 October 1964. Number of Flights: 1.00. Total Time: 4.81 days.

• Ouyang Ziyuan. - Ouyang Ziyuan Chinese Scientist.

• Pan Zhanchun. - Pan Zhanchun Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Qi Faren. - Qi Faren Chinese Engineer. Born 1933.

• Ren Xinmin. - Ren Xinmin Chinese Engineer.

• Shao Zhijian. - Shao Zhijian Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1940.

• Shen Qizhen. - Shen Qizhen Chinese Engineer. Born 2 February 1906. Died 16 June 1993.

• Song Jian. - Song Jian Chinese Engineer.

• Sun Jiadong. - Sun Jiadong Chinese Engineer.

• Tsien. - Tsien Hsue-shen Chinese Engineer. Born 11 December 1911.

• Tu Shoue. - Tu Shoue Chinese Engineer.

• Wang. - Dr Taylor Gun-Jin Wang American Payload Specialist Astronaut. Born 16 June 1940. Number of Flights: 1.00. Total Time: 7.01 days.

• Wang Daheng. - Wang Daheng Chinese Engineer.

• Wang Fuhe. - Wang Fuhe Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Wang Fuquan. - Wang Fuquan Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1939.

• Wang Quanbo. - Wang Quanbo Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Wang Rongsen. - Wang Rongsen Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1934.

• Wang Xiji. - Wang Xiji Chinese Engineer.

• Wang Yongzhi. - Wang Yongzhi Chinese Engineer. Born 1931.

• Wang Zhiyue. - Wang Zhiyue Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1941.

• Wu ChengKang. - Wu ChengKang Chinese Engineer.

• Wu Jie. - Wu Jie Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born October 1963.

• Xie Guangxuan. - Xie Guangxuan Chinese Engineer.

• Xue Lun. - Xue Lun Chinese Manager.

• Yang Liwei. - Yang Liwei Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 21 June 1965. Number of Flights: 1.00. Total Time: 0.89 days.

• Yu Guilin. - Yu Guilin Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Yuhangyuan 1?. - Yuhangyuan 1? Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Yuhangyuan 2?. - Yuhangyuan 2? Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Zhai Zhigang. - Zhai Zhigang Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 10 October 1966.

• Zhang Cunhao. - Zhang Cunhao Chinese Engineer.

• Zhang Ruxiang. - Zhang Ruxiang Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan. Born 1941.

• Zhang Xiaoguan. - Zhang Xiaoguan Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Zhao Chuandong. - Zhao Chuandong Chinese Pilot Yuhangyuan.

• Zhao Jiuzhang. - Zhao Jiuzhang Chinese Engineer. Born 15 October 1907. Died 26 October 1968.

• Zhou Benlian. - Zhou Benlian Chinese Engineer.

• Zhuang Fenggan. - Zhuang Fenggan Chinese Engineer.

• Zhuang Yuzhi. - Zhuang Yuzhi Chinese Engineer. Born 27 July 1924. Died 23 March 1996.

1935 August 15 -

• Tsien Hsue-shen leaves China to study at MIT. Program: Long March. Tsien Hsue-shen, father of Chinese rocketry and spaceflight, leaves China on a Boxer Rebellion Scholarship to study at MIT. References: 31. Level: 1.

• Tsien Hsue-shen enters CalTech Program: Long March. Tsien Hsue-shen, at the urging of Theodore von Karman, begins graduate studies at the California Institute of Technology. He will continue there for nearly twenty years, first as a student, finally as the Goddard Professor, becoming one of the leading rocket scientists in the United States.References: 31. Level: 1.

• Tsien Passenger Spaceplane Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Tsien Spaceplane 1949. Tsien Hsue-shen proposed a 22,000 kg single stage winged rocket that would carry ten passengers from New York to Los Angeles in 45 minutes. Level: 1.

• Communist People's Republic of China formally proclaimed by Chairman Mao Zedong Level: 1.

• Tsien Hsue-shen accused of being a Communist. Program: Long March. FBI agents interrogate Tsien Hsue-shen on allegations that he is a Communist. The same day his security clearance is revoked, making it virtually impossible to continue meaningful work in rocketry. The allegations seem unlikely to his associates at CalTech (his wife was the daughter of one of Chiang Kai-shek's leading military strategists). Two weeks later, Tsien announces his intention to return to China. Tsien, denied the possibility to work, becomes enmeshed in a tug-of-war between differing viewpoints in the US government bureaucracy: those that want to deport him as an undesirable alien, and those that want to keep him in the country because of what he knows.References: 31. Level: 1.

• Tsien Hsue-shen deported from the United States. Program: Long March. After five years of wrangling, and secret talks in Geneva between the Red Chinese and US governments, Tsien is deported from the United States. Upon arrival in China, he was immediately put to work as head of the Chinese missile program. He had to introduce US systems engineering approaches to Chinese engineers, and build the technical infrastructure to enable China to build rockets.References: 31. Level: 1.

• Institute of Mechanics founded in Beijing Tsien is director of the institute. It is equipped with mechanical desk calculators and only one telephone. Deputy Director is a Tsien protege, Dr Guo Yonghuai, who graduated with a doctorate in aeronatuical engineering from Caltech in 1946. The Director of Operations is Xu Guozhi, a systems analyst that Tsien met on the ship from America to China.Level: 1.

• Plan for missile development proposed. Program: Long March. Tsien Hsue-shen submits a secret proposal to the State Council for ballistic missile development - 'Prospectus for Establishment of a National Defence Aviation Industry'. The proposal calls for the establishment of a research facility for aeronautics and missile development.References: 87. Level: 1.

• 12 year plan for Chinese aerospace Spacecraft: Project 581. Hundreds of Soviet and Chinese scientists put together the technology portion of China's 12 year plan. Missile development is emphasized in the plan at the expense of the aircraft industry. Level: 1.

• Fifth Academy founded. Program: Long March. The Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defence is founded for development of ballistic missiles. Tsien is named its first Director on October 8. The Academy is established on the premises of an old hospital and two sanatoriums, with an initial staff of 100 high school graduates and 100 to 200 college graduates. Tsien teaches an 'Introduction to Rocket Technology' course while Zhuang Faggan from CalTech teaches aerodynamics.References: 87. Level: 1.

• Russian agrees to sell China two R-1 missiles Program: Long March. They were delivered in December 1956. Tsien is disgusted to find that the missiles are nothing but copies of the V-2. Something more advanced is needed, he argues to the Russians. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Qian Weichang denounced. Tsien denounces his former colleague Qian Weichang. Level: 1.

• Russia to assist China in missile development Program: Long March. Russian and China sign New Defense Technical Accord, whereby Russia will supply China with protoype atomic bomb and two R-2 missiles, and related technical data. Under the agreement the Soviet Union will provide to China the necessary specialists, training, and tooling for licensed production of the R-2 ballistic missile (an improved version of the V-2).References: 87. Level: 1.

• R-2 missiles arrive in China. Program: Long March. A Red Army missile battalion with two R-2's and their launchers arrive in Beijing by rail. They are secretly moved to the premises of the Fifth Academy in the middle of the night. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Project 581 Spacecraft: Project 581. The first project to build a Chinese satellite is set in motion. Level: 1.

• Fifth Academy expansion begins. Over the next year, the People's Liberation Army transfers 3000 technical staff and cadres to the Fifth Academy and a further 300 engineers to industry. The Chinese government sends increasing numbers of Chinese engineers to Russia for training in missile technology. All of this is done in great secrecy, with correspondence being addressed only to post office box numbers.Level: 1.

• Tsien self-criticism An article by Tsien confessing to his mistakes was published in the People's Daily. Level: 1.

• Project 581 pressure. Spacecraft: Project 581. Chairman Mao says that China must orbit a satellite at the earliest possible date in order to match the Americans and Russians. Level: 1.

• Tsien and Great Leap Forward An article by Tsien appeared in Kexue Dazhong, claiming that new methods and a new process cycle could increase agricultural production by twenty times. This led to Mao's 'Great Leap Forward', resulting in the death of millions from starvation. Level: 1.

• Beginning of construction at Jiuquan missile test site Program: Long March. The 20th Corps of the People's Liberation Army begins construction of launch and tracking facilities at Jiuquan. Wells are dug, willow and poplar trees are planted, roads and housing are constructed. References: 87. Level: 1.

• R-2 technical documentation delivered. 10,151 volumes of R-2 technical documents are delivered to Beijing. China orders 12 more R-2 missiles. 100 Soviet technicians arrive as advisors to the Chinese in production and operation of th emissiles. Level: 1.

• Tsien enters Congress Tsien was elected Deputy of Guangdong Province to the National People's Congress. Level: 1.

• Missile development plans set. Program: Long March. Fifth Academy finalizes plan to proceed development of indigenous Dong Feng missiles (original DF-1, DF-2, DF-3 designations) References: 87. Level: 1.

• Tsien joins Communist Party Tsien was allowed to join the Communist Party. Level: 1.

• Chinese plan satellite launch by December 1959 Spacecraft: Project 581. Tsien and his colleagues set an initial goal of launching a satellite by the end of 1959. They see no reason to copy the antiquated R-2 missile being transferred from Russia, and want to make a great leap to an intermediate range missile capable of serving as the first stage of a satellite launcher. It very quickly becomes that this is much too ambitious and totally impossible.Level: 1.

• R-2 production advisors The first Soviet advisors arrive to assist the Chinese in production of the R-2 missile. Level: 1.

• Chinese/Russian missile talks A Chinese delegation goes to Russia to discuss delivery of more tooling and machine tools for missile production. Level: 1.

• Decision to withhold R-12 and nuclear warhead drawing package from China over Sidewinder affair Spacecraft: Project 581. The Soviet Central Committee advises China it will not provide prototype or drawings of atomic bombs as agreed previously. Khrushchev promised China that he would provide the drawing package for the R-12 IRBM as soon as testing was completed. However then came the affair of the Sidewinder. At the end of 1958 or early 1959 a complete missile fell into the hands of the Chinese. They promised to provide it to the Russians, but then dragged their feet. They were finally told in February 1959 that unless they provided the Sidewinder, they would not be given the R-12 package. The missile was finally delivered but it was found that the key crystal in the infrared homing sensor was missing. The Chinese had also been caught disassembling a P-15 cruise missile at a training facility in China. It had taken the Russian trainers two days to get it reassembled correctly. Therefore on June 20 1959 the decision was taken not to transfer the R-12 or the promised nuclear warhead design to China.

  The Soviets created a new design bureau to copy the Sidewinder. Fabrication of the crystal for the infrared sensor was the main obstacle. The initial production batches had a 99% rejection rate. A state commission was set up to get to the bottom of the problem, but couldn’t find a solution. The main problem seemed to be low-quality ore provided by the mines.References: 87. Level: 1.

• Chinese/Russian missile talks A second Chinese delegation goes to Russia to press for delivery of more tooling and machine tools for missile production. Level: 1.

• First missile factories built. Program: Long March. First Chinese missile production factories built: Shenyang (missile frames) Nancheng (engines). References: 87. Level: 1.

• Project 1059 Nie Rongzhen, Senior Commander of the Revolution responsible for strategic weapons, orders the Fifth Academy to quit wasting time on trying to leapfrog Soviet technology and concentrate on copying the Russian R-2. Code name for the project is 1059. Level: 1.

• R-2 production obstacles Spacecraft: Project 581. 14 manufacturers and 1400 industrial work units were needed to manufacture the R-2 engines alone. Basic materials were difficult to get. Some were imported; others substituted. Eventually 40% of the parts of the missile used substitute materials, but many of these replacements proved to be inadequate. Machine tools were not available, and the missile frame was formed manually by human muscle power. Inert gas arc welding technology had to be developed. Soviet style factories were being erected for the production of the missile.Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 8.00 km (4.90 mi). Launched from Laogang, Shanghai Shi, Zhongguo - Latitude: 31.02 N, Longitude:121.82 E. The Shanghai design institute completed the first subscale experimental model of the T-7 sounding rocket. This would use a solid booster and liquid propellant sustainer stage. The rocket was fuelled using a bicycle pump. Launched from Laogang, on the coast, the missile reached 8 km altitude.References: 398. Level: 1.

• T-7 motor test Tsien reviewed rocket development in Shanghai and views a T-7 motor test. Level: 1.

• Beijing-Jiuquan rail link The railway from Beijing to the Chinese missile launch site at Jiuquan is completed. The trip to the site takes four to five days. Level: 1.

• Soviet/China break. In the preceding months relations between the Soviet advisors and Chinese engineers had been strained by increasing Soviet secrecy. The Russians catch Chinese students at the Moscow Aviation Institute stealing restricted missile data. Finally Khrushchev declared the suspension of military assistance to China. All 1,343 Soviet specialists are withdrawn from the Fifth Academy in Beijing and return to Russia. They leave behind 343 uncompleted contracts. A total of 257 technical development projects were cancelled as a result.Level: 1.

• Last Russian advisers leave China. Program: Long March. The last Russian technical advisers are withdrawn from China. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). First launch of the all-up missile. References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Program: Long March. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). The rocket was built in the Soviet Union but used Chinese propellants. This launch took place just a month after all Soviet experts were withdrawn from China. References: 87, 398. Level: 1.

• DF-1 launch preparations Tsien goes to Jiuquan to supervise preparations for launch of the first Chinese-built R-2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). First launch of all-Chinese version of Russian R-2, model 1059. Radio guidance was used. Nie Rongzhen is present to observe the event. References: 31. Level: 1.

• DF-3 ICBM development begun. Program: Long March. Tsien appoints himself head of the DF-3 project - a quantum leap to build a 10,000 km range liquid oxygen/kerosene propellant intercontinental ballistic missile. The objective proves much too ambitious and is eventually cancelled. It is the last missile project Tsien is allowed to manage.References: 87. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Two further launches are made from Jiuquan. References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• First Chinese trainees in satellite technology Spacecraft: DFH-1. Four engineers from the Shanghai Institute of Machine and Electrical Design receive the first Chinese training in satellite design. Level: 1.

• Chinese project management Tsien introduced a computer tool for management of Chinese aerospace development projects analogous to the American PERT program. Level: 1.

• Communist China and Soviet Union split in conflict over Communist ideology. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. First DF-2 launch attempt. The rocket impacted the earth after only 69 seconds of flight. Fundamental design errors were discovered in calculating flexing of the rocket in flight, placement of the guidance system, and engine mounting. The missile was completely redesigned for reduced thrust.References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Tsien and Mao Tsien tutors Mao on science. This is one of only six times that Tsien actually met Mao. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). This followed a two-year complete redesign and test program following the first launch failure in 1962. The reduced-thrust missile had a range of 1050 km with a 1550 kg warhead, barely enough to reach Japan. References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Biological mission (mice) Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Chinese missiles redesignated and new development plan adopted. Program: Long March. Tsien had conducted a series of meetings with the Chinese leadership during the year to redefine China's missile development plans. There are clashes between Tsien, who favours an American engineering approach, and his staff, who were trained in Russian and favour the Soviet approach. Finally the missiles were defined by their target objectives, and a new development plan was adopted, with definite goals. The 1059 missile (copy of Russian R-2) was redesignated DF-1. The DF-2 was to be improved to carry an atomic bomb to a range sufficient to hit Japan. The DF-3 ICBM was cancelled, and the new DF-3 project would involve development of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the Philippines (earlier referred to as the DF-1). The DF-4 was to be capable of hitting Guam, and the DF-5 would be an ICBM capable of reaching the United States. The DF-2, DF-3 and DF-4 would use strap-down accelerometer guidance packages, while the DF-5 was to be equipped with a full-fledged inertial guidance unit.References: 87. Level: 1.

• First Chinese atomic bomb tested. Program: Long March. The warhead had a yield of 20 kilotons. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Go-ahead for DF-2A. Program: Long March. Decision to proceed with DF-2A extended range version of DF-2 References: 87. Level: 1.

• DFHTechnology test mission Agency: PRCAS. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi). References: 398. Level: 2.

• Project 651 Spacecraft: DFH-1. Tsien presents his plan for a Chinese satellite to the Central Committee. Level: 1.

• HY missile development Shenguan is authorised to develop and produce a missile based on the Soviet P-15 ('Styx') cruise missile (later designated Haiyang). Level: 1.

• Chinese satellite plans. Spacecraft: DFH-1. Tsien says he can orbit a Chiense satellite in 1970 or 1971. Level: 1.

• Biological mission (mice) Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Biological mission (mice) Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Project 651 Spacecraft: DFH-1. Zhou En Lai approves the plan for the construction and launch of China's first satellite. Level: 1.

• First successful test of DF-2A. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). First launch of redesigned DF-2. The flight demonstrated a 20% improvement in range for the same 1500 kg payload, and replaced the radio guidance of the DF-2 with an autonoumous gyroscopic system. Level: 1.

• Chinese ICBM plans Tsien proposes to add electronic countermeasures and other penetration aids to the DF-5 ICBM in order to defeat the planned American ABM system. Level: 1.

• DFH-1 satellite defined. Spacecraft: DFH-1. The satellite will be launched by the CZ-1 launch vehicle, a DFH-2 IRBM with a new upper stage. Level: 1.

• Cultural Revolution Tsien is now head of the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building (the former Fifth Academy). Cadres accuse Tsien of spreading Nazi propaganda in China after his visit to Germany in 1946. Level: 1.

• Biological mission (dog) Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Biological mission (dog) Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Nuclear test mission Program: Long March. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). DF-2A launched with a 1290 kg, 12 kt warhead from Jiuquan flew over a range of 800 km to Lop Nor, where the warhead successfully exploded. The Ninth Academy was responsible for development of the nuclear package. Tsien protégé Guo Yonghuai was the liaison between the Fifth and Ninth Academies for the development.References: 87, 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Program: Long March. Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 87, 398. Level: 1.

• Tsien removed Spacecraft: DFH-1. Tsien was overthrown by the 916 (Mao) Clique. Ye Zhengguang, a missile engineer, with the approval off Zhou En Lai and Marshall Nie, confronts Tsien and removes him from his post as head of the Seventh Ministry. Minister of Machine Building Wang Bingzhang was also deposed. However Tsien was protected by the leadership, made a 'Vice Minister', and claimed he supports the coup. Wang refused to cooperate and would not hand over the chops of his office to the 916 Clique.Level: 1.

• China conducts first thermonuclear bomb test. Program: Long March. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Height of Cultural Revolution Spacecraft: DFH-1. Yao Tongbin, a metallurgist at he Seventh Ministry, is beaten to death by Red Guards. Zhou En Lai intervenes, putting the top fifty missile scientists under this protection. Level: 1.

• GF-01A satellite test mission Agency: CAST. Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• GF-01A satellite test mission Agency: CAST. Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 1836. Level: 2.

• DFHTechnology test mission Agency: CAST. Apogee: 81 km (50 mi). References: 398. Level: 2.

• FSW satellite technology test mission Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: CAST. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• FSW satellite technology test mission Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: CAST. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• First Chinese satellite launch attempt ends in failure. Payload: DFH 1. Mass: 170 kg (370 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DFH-1. COSPAR: F691116Z. The launch vehicle arrived at the site on 18 March 1969. The objective was to launch China's first satellite before Japan lofted its counterpart. Ren Xinmin had obtained this specific order from Deng Hsiao Peng. Great difficulties were encountered in the middle of the Cultural Revolution, including the sending of most of the satellite engineers to work on irrigation ditch construction in the provinces. The skirt for the satellite, designed to make it easily visible to ground observors, had to be made from a special silk produced in a factory without the knowledge of the Red Guards. The engineers went by bus to a department store in Beijing to study an imported folding umbrella as a model for the deployment mechanism -- they could not afford to buy it. The entire launch was kept secret until a documentary was released in 2001.References: 5. Level: 1.

• Test mission Program: Long March. Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). First test of prototype DF-3 (perhaps same configuration as CZ-1); not deployed. References: 87, 398. Level: 1.

• DFH-1 satellite launch authorised. Spacecraft: DFH-1. Mao personally authorises the launch. Level: 1.

• DFH Mao 1 Payload: DFH 1. Mass: 173 kg (381 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DFH-1. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 434 km (269 mi). Apogee: 2,162 km (1,343 mi). Inclination: 68.40 deg. Period: 111.60 min. COSPAR: 1970-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 4382. The final campaign to launch China's first satellite began on April 1, 1970, when two DFH-1 satellites and the CZ-1 rocket arrived by train at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. This was over a year after the first attempt in 1969. Ren Xinmin was project leader and Qi Faren was leader of the DFH-1 experiment team. On April 2 Premier Zhou Enlai called a special meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for a final readiness review of the satellite and the launch vehicle. Zhou wanted special guarantees that the satellite would transmit the march 'The East is Red' from orbit.

  On the morning of April 24, 1970, the first and second stages of CZ-1 were loaded with propellant and stacked. The satellite was mated to the spin-stabilized solid-propellant third stage, and the launcher entered the final eight hours of launch preparation. Weather forecast for the launch at 9:30 p.m. called for clouds at above 7,000 meters and a wind speed of less than 4 to 5 meters per second.

  The historic launch came at 9:35 p.m. local time (13:35 UTC). Upon hearing the command "ignition", a launch controller pressed the button to start the rocket engines. The three-stage CZ-1, which was 29.46 meters tall and had a maximum diameter of 2.25 meters, lifted off the launch pad with a thrust of 104 tonnes. Liftoff weight of the CZ-1 was 81.5 tonnes. Rocket expert Shen Jianan recounted that "..as soon as I saw the liftoff on the TV screen inside the bunker, I ran outside. I could only see the beautiful rocket lighting up the night sky and streaking towards the southeast. I ran back inside to listen to the transmissions. Broadcasting on the speaker were status reports like 'capturing target', 'nominal tracking', 'nominal flight', 'nominal second and third stage separation'..." Thirteen minutes after launch, at 9:48 p.m., mission control announced "...satellite and rocket stage separation, satellite enters orbit...the bunker was filled with cheers".

  China became the fifth nation after the former Soviet Union, the United States, France and Japan to achieve an indigenous space launch capability. At 9:50 p.m., the National Broadcasting Bureau announced the acquisition of the tune 'East is Red' from the satellite loud and clear. In the following days, the People's Central Broadcasting radio and newspapers in Beijing announced and printed worldwide times of DFH-1 and CZ-1 third stage passages, and directions of travel in the sky. Senior officials in Beijing dispatched a chartered plane to JSLC to bring back Qi and other scientists. In the International Labour Day celebration on May 1, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou warmly welcomed them at the Tiananmen Square.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Shuguang Group selected. China approved Project 714 on July 14, 1970 to develop the Shuguang manned spacecraft, to be launched in 1973. Shuguang group selection bagan in late 1970. Initial screening resulted 88 candidates from PLA pilots. After further medical and political testing in the first half of 1971, 20 finalists were selected. One candidate did not report for training for reasons that were never divulged. The program was cancelled in late 1971.Level: 1.

• SJ-1 Payload: Shi Jian 1. Mass: 221 kg (487 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Comsat. Spacecraft: DFH-1. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 265 km (164 mi). Apogee: 1,833 km (1,138 mi). Inclination: 69.80 deg. Period: 106.10 min. COSPAR: 1971-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 5007. Decay Date: 1979-06-17. Similar in appearance to the American Telstar and conducted communications technology tests. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Research and Development Suborbital Flight References: 398. Level: 1.

• Death of Lin Bao Lin Bao and his entourage are killed when their aircraft crashes, purportedly while trying to leave the country. Wang Bingzhang was associated with the coup plotters, and sent to prison for several years. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Research and Development Suborbital Flight References: 5, 398. Level: 1.

• JSSW 1 Payload: JSSW 1. Spacecraft: JSSW. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F730918A. References: 279. Level: 1.

• JSSW 2 Payload: JSSW 2. Spacecraft: JSSW. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F740714A. References: 279. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 Payload: FSW-0 No. A. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F741105A. Decay Date: 1974-11-05. References: 5. Level: 1.

• JSSW 3 Payload: JSSW 3. Mass: 1,107 kg (2,440 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: JSSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 190 km (110 mi). Apogee: 455 km (282 mi). Inclination: 69.00 deg. Period: 90.90 min. COSPAR: 1975-070A. USAF Sat Cat: 8053. Decay Date: 1975-09-14. Photo surveillance; radio transmission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 1 Payload: FSW-0 No. 01. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 183 km (113 mi). Apogee: 483 km (300 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 91.10 min. COSPAR: 1975-111A. USAF Sat Cat: 8452. Duration: 2.00 days. Decay Date: 1975-12-29. First orbital test of Chinese recoverable photo surveillance satellite. The spacecraft was brought down early, after three days in orbit, due to problems with the attitude control system cold gas supply. Along the skirt of the return capsule some wires and instruments were burnt during re-entry and capsule impacted far from its planned landing point. However usable film was obtained from the capsule. The Chinese Academy of Space Technology organised a team to determine the cause, and improvements were made in the next spacecraft of the model.Additional Details: FSW-0 No. 1(1764). References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• JSSW 4 Payload: JSSW 4. Mass: 1,110 kg (2,440 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: JSSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Apogee: 387 km (240 mi). Inclination: 69.00 deg. Period: 90.30 min. COSPAR: 1975-119A. USAF Sat Cat: 8488. Decay Date: 1976-01-27. Photo surveillance; radio transmission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Date uncertain. First test of DF-4. Program: Long March. References: 87. Level: 1.

• JSSW 5 Payload: JSSW 5. Mass: 1,108 kg (2,442 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: JSSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 2,145 km (1,332 mi). Inclination: 69.20 deg. Period: 108.80 min. COSPAR: 1976-087A. USAF Sat Cat: 9394. Decay Date: 1978-11-25. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• JSSW 6 Payload: JSSW 6. Spacecraft: JSSW. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F761110A. References: 279. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 2 Payload: FSW-0 No. 02. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Apogee: 489 km (303 mi). Inclination: 59.40 deg. Period: 91.10 min. COSPAR: 1976-117A. USAF Sat Cat: 9587. Duration: 2.00 days. Decay Date: 1977-01-02. Photo surveillance; film capsule recovered 9 December. First completely successful test of the FSW spy satellite. Many improvements in comparison to the first FSW orbited. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Research and Development Flight References: 5, 1166. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 3 Payload: FSW-0 No. 03. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Apogee: 507 km (315 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 91.40 min. COSPAR: 1978-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 10611. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1978-02-07. Photo surveillance; film capsule; capsule returned January 30. Second fully successful FSW mission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• First public announcement of a Chinese manned program Spacecraft: Chinese Manned Capsule 1978. First public announcement of a Chinese manned program came in February, 1978. By November the head of the Chinese Space Agency, Jen Hsin-Min, confirmed that China was working on a manned space capsule and a 'Skylab' space station. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Research and Development Flight References: 5, 1166. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• SJ-1 Payload: Shi Jian 1. Mass: 221 kg (487 lb). Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F790728A. The SJ-1 was similar in appearance to the American Telstar and conducted communications technology tests. References: 279. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan on 2 August. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan on 15 October. References: 1836. Level: 1.

• Chinese astronauts in training Spacecraft: Chinese Manned Capsule 1978. The Chinese press reported a visit with the Chinese astronaut trainees at the Chinese manned spaceflight training centre. Photographs appeared of the astronauts in training. Pressure suited astronauts were shown in pressure chamber tests. Other trainees were shown at the controls of a space shuttle-like spaceplane cockpit.Level: 1.

• Last DF-5 partial range test. Program: Long March. Other sources do not list this test. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1864. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1864. Level: 1.

• First DF-4 test from Jingyu. Program: Long March. First launch from Jingyu test site. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Second DF-4 test from Jingyu. Program: Long March. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Work on early Chinese manned spacecraft ends Spacecraft: Chinese Manned Capsule 1978. Wang Zhuanshan, the Secretary General of the New China Space Research Society and Chief Engineer of the Space Centre of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced that Chinese manned flight was being postponed because of its cost. Fundamental economic development was given priority.Level: 1.

• SJ-2A Payload: Shi Jian 2B. Mass: 257 kg (566 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 232 km (144 mi). Apogee: 1,598 km (992 mi). Inclination: 59.50 deg. Period: 103.30 min. COSPAR: 1981-093A. USAF Sat Cat: 12842. Decay Date: 1981-09-26. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• SJ-2B Payload: Shi Jian C. Mass: 28 kg (61 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 233 km (144 mi). Apogee: 1,615 km (1,003 mi). Inclination: 59.40 deg. Period: 103.50 min. COSPAR: 1981-093B. USAF Sat Cat: 12843. Decay Date: 1982-10-06. Balloon for drag studies. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• SJ-2 Payload: Shi Jian 2. Mass: 483 kg (1,064 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 232 km (144 mi). Apogee: 1,608 km (999 mi). Inclination: 59.40 deg. Period: 103.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-093D. USAF Sat Cat: 12845. Decay Date: 1982-08-17. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan. References: 1836. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Launched from Yellow Sea launch area. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 4 Payload: FSW-0 No. 04. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Apogee: 392 km (243 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1982-090A. USAF Sat Cat: 13521. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1982-09-21. Photo surveillance; film capsule recovered 14 September. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Launched from Yellow Sea launch area. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 5 Payload: FSW-0 No. 05. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Apogee: 493 km (306 mi). Inclination: 63.30 deg. Period: 91.20 min. COSPAR: 1983-086A. USAF Sat Cat: 14288. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1983-09-03. Photo surveillance; film capsule recovered 24 August. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• STTW-T1 Payload: STTW-T1. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 484 km (300 mi). Apogee: 6,446 km (4,005 mi). Inclination: 36.10 deg. Period: 162.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 14670. First launch of a prototype DFH-2 communications satellite. Payload stranded in low earth orbit, but all subsystems including the communications payload were completely checked and tested. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• STTW-T2 Payload: STTW-T2. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 35,733 km (22,203 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 6.10 deg. Period: 1,435.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 14899. Completed Operations Date: 1988-06-28. Prototype of DFH-2 communications satellite. After on-orbit testing and check out of the satellite and the ground stations, the satellite system was declared operational, and was used experimentally for the transmission of television, telephone, and data messages with good results. It stayed in operation for more than four years, exceeding the design life of three years by a comfortable margin. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg E in 1984-1988. As of 4 September 2001 located at 40.81 deg E drifting at 0.320 deg W per day. As of 2007 Feb 27 located at 133.57E drifting at 0.079W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 6 Payload: FSW-0 No. 06. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Apogee: 398 km (247 mi). Inclination: 67.90 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1984-098A. USAF Sat Cat: 15279. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1984-09-29. Photo surveillance; film capsule recovered 17 September. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 1946. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Launched from Yellow Sea launch area. References: 1836. Level: 1.

• First launch of JL-1 SLBM. Partial failure? Program: Long March. References: 87. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 7 Payload: FSW-0 No. 07. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 171 km (106 mi). Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 90.20 min. COSPAR: 1985-096A. USAF Sat Cat: 16177. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1985-11-07. Fanhui Shi Weixing photo surveillance satellite; film capsule recovered 26 October. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• STTW 1 Payload: STTW 1. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,819 km (22,256 mi). Inclination: 9.80 deg. Period: 1,436.60 min. COSPAR: 1986-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 16526. Completed Operations Date: 1990-06-01. Second successful DFH-2 launch. Also designated STW-2, the satellite was positioned at 103 deg E. In comparison to the first two DFH-2's, a parabolic antenna reflector replaced the horn antenna. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 103 deg E in 1986-1990. As of 3 September 2001 located at 102.75 deg E drifting at 0.030 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 46.50E drifting at 0.019E degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 8 Payload: FSW-0 No. 08. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 1986-076A. USAF Sat Cat: 17001. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1986-10-23. Fanhui Shi Weixing recoverable satellite; capsule re-entered October 11 after five day mission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-0 No. 9 Payload: FSW-0 No. 09. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 169 km (105 mi). Apogee: 366 km (227 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1987-067A. USAF Sat Cat: 18306. Duration: 5.00 days. Decay Date: 1987-08-23. Fanhui Shi Weixing recoverable satellite; carried microgravity experiments; return capsule recovered August 10 after five days in space. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-1 No. 1 Payload: FSW-1 No. 01. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 222 km (137 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1987-075A. USAF Sat Cat: 18341. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1987-10-04. Fanhui Shi Weixing recoverable satellite; return capsule recovered September 17 after eight days in space. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1864. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-1 Payload: STTW 2. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.50 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 18922. Completed Operations Date: 1997-07-01. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg E in 1988-1997. As of 28 August 2001 located at 87.94 deg E drifting at 0.038 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 64.00E drifting at 0.067E degrees per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-1 No. 2 Payload: FSW-1 No. 02. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1988-067A. USAF Sat Cat: 19368. Duration: 8.00 days. Decay Date: 1988-08-13. German crystal growth experiment in recoverable capsule. Results marred by hard landing. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• FY-1A Payload: Feng Yun 1A. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-1. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 875 km (543 mi). Apogee: 895 km (556 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. Period: 102.70 min. COSPAR: 1988-080A. USAF Sat Cat: 19467. Experimental weather satellite. First use of new launch site and launch vehicle. Failed after 38 days due to problems with attitude control system. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• First JL-1 SLBM launch. Program: Long March. First successful JL-1 launch, impacting 123.53 deg N, 28.13 deg E. References: 87. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Launched from Yellow Sea launch area. References: 1864. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-2 Payload: STTW 3. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-111A. USAF Sat Cat: 19710. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1989-1999. As of 27 August 2001 located at 91.92 deg E drifting at 0.244 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 83.40E drifting at 0.283W degrees per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 398. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-3 Payload: STTW 4. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. COSPAR: 1990-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 20473. Completed Operations Date: 1998-07-01. National operational communications satellite. Designation 1990-2. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 98 deg E in 1990-1998. As of 4 September 2001 located at 52.36 deg E drifting at 0.045 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 96.88E drifting at 0.061W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• Asiasat 1 Program: Asiasat. Mass: 1,442 kg (3,179 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Asiasat. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 2.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1990-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 20558. First commercial Chinese launch; Stationed at 105 deg E; formerly Westar 6 (retrieved by STS-51A and refurbished). Fixed-satellite telecommunication services and transmission of television signals. Operational life about 10 years. Orbital position 105.5E. Owner/operator: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co, Ltd. 23-24/F, East Exchange Tower, 38-40 Leighton Rd, Hong K ong. Telex 68345 ASAT HX Fax 852 576 4111. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 1990-1999; 122 deg E in 1999-2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 121.97 deg E drifting at 0.009 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 23.96E drifting at 3.706W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• HS-601 Model Agency: PRC. COSPAR: 1990-059xx. First launch of new Chinese launch vehicle. References: 279. Level: 1.

• FY-1B Payload: Feng Yun 1B. Mass: 881 kg (1,942 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-1. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 875 km (543 mi). Apogee: 897 km (557 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. Period: 102.70 min. COSPAR: 1990-081A. USAF Sat Cat: 20788. Experimental weather satellite. Operated for over a year. References: 1, 2, 5, 6. Level: 1.

• QQW 1 Payload: QQW 1A. Mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 789 km (490 mi). Apogee: 811 km (503 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 100.90 min. COSPAR: 1990-081B. USAF Sat Cat: 20789. Decay Date: 1991-03-11. QQW atmospheric ballo