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: 19.2296. Longitude: 110.6151.

• Harbin. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang, Manchuria. Latitude: 45.7500. Longitude: 126.6800.

• Jingyu. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Latitude: 42.2000. Longitude: 126.5000.

• Jiuquan. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Location: Jiuquan Space Center. Latitude: 41.1180. Longitude: 100.4633.

• Laogang. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Location: Shanghai. Latitude: 31.0183. Longitude: 121.8959.

• Mace Taiwan. Agency: US Army. Operating Country: USA. Type: IRCM Base. Location: Taiwan. Latitude: 24.4000. Longitude: 120.5000.

• Shijiedu. Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Location: Anhui. Latitude: 30.9374. Longitude: 119.2058.

• South China. Type: Sea Launch Area. Latitude: 24.0000. Longitude: 116.0000.

• Taiyuan. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Location: Taiyuan Space Center, Wuzhai. Latitude: 39.1432. Longitude: 111.9674.

• Xichang. Type: Orbital Launch Site. Location: Xichang Space Center. Latitude: 28.2465. Longitude: 102.0281.

• 761. - sounding rocket - Status: Retired 1980. 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. - 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.

• Chinese Supergun. - short range ballistic missile - Status: Active. In January 1995 the Chinese army unveiled a 21 m long supergun capable of firing large artillery shells into South Korea and Taiwan. The gun could fire 85 mm shells over a 300 km range. Nothing further was heard of the weapon. Interestingly, China was one of the countries that retained Gerard Bull as a consultant in artillery design in the 1980's. It would seem that the supergun retained its military appeal as a psychological weapon or in anti-satellite applications.

• CZ. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Active. China's first ICBM, the DF-5, first flew in 1971. It was a two-stage storable-propellant rocket in the same class as the American Titan, the Russian R-36, or the European Ariane. The DF-5 spawned a long series of Long March ("Chang Zheng") CZ-2, CZ-3, and CZ-4 launch vehicles. These used cryogenic engines for upper stages and liquid-propellant strap-on motors to create a family of 12 Long-March rocket configurations capable of placing up to 9,200 kg into orbit. In 2000 China began development of a new generation of expendable launch vehicles using non-toxic, high-performance propellants with supposedly lower operating costs. However these encountered development delays, and it seemed the reliable Long March series of rockets would continue in operational use for nearly fifty years before being replaced.

• CZ-1. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Retired 2002. 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-NGLV. - orbital launch vehicle - Status: Development. China's family of new generation expendable launch vehicles began development in 2000. Boosters of various capabilities would be assembled from three modular stages of 2.25 m, 3.35 m and 5.0 m diameter. These would be powered by new variable-thrust 120 tonne thrust Lox/Kerosene engines or 50 tonne thrust Lox/LH2 engines.

• DF-1. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Status: Retired 1970's. Chinese version of Soviet R-2.

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

• DF-15. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Status: Active.

• DF-2. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Status: Retired 1979. First Chinese IRBM, a single stage missile with the objective of carrying a 1500 kg warhead to Japan. 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 - Status: Active. JL-1 land based version. 2 stage vehicle.

• DF-3. - intermediate range ballistic missile - Status: Retired 2002?. 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: Cancelled 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 - Status: Active. 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 - Status: Retired 2005?. 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 - Status: Development. 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-57. - intercontinental ballistic missile - Status: Active.

• 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.

• JL-1. - submarine-launched ballistic missile - Status: Active. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x DF-21 + 1 x DF-21 St2

• KT. - all-solid orbital launch vehicle - Status: Active. Family of all solid-propellant Chinese launch vehicles, using the DF-31 ICBM as the basis with new upper or lower stages to achieve a range of payload performances. Following two unsuccessful launches in 2002-2003, the project may have been abandoned.

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

• 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: Retired 1969. China's first sounding rocket and first indigenously-built sounding rocket, launched from 1960-1965. The basic vehicle consisted of a single liquid propellant stage. This was later augmented with solid propellant booster stages. Later versions dispensed with the liquid propellant stage.

• 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.

• Zhinui. - sounding rocket - Status: Retired 1991. Single stage vehicle.

• Beidou. - Navigation

• Chang Cheng 1. - Manned Spaceplane

• Chang'e. - Planetary Lunar Orbiter

• Chinese ASAT. - Military ASAT

• Chinese EVA Suit. - Manned Space Suits

• 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

• Shenlong. - Spaceplane

• 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

• Tian Jiao 2. - Manned Spaceplane

• Tsien Spaceplane 1949. - Manned Spaceplane

• Tsien Spaceplane 1978. - Manned Spaceplane

• V-2 VTOHL. - Manned Spaceplane

• Yaogan. - Surveillance Military Radarsat

• 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.

1054 July 4 -

• The Crab Nebula Supernova Level: 1.

• 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). 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: 2. 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.

• 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: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). First launch of the all-up missile. References: 2. Level: 1.

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

• 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: 2. 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). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Two further launches are made from Jiuquan. References: 2. 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.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 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: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

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

• 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: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Life Science (mice) Biological mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. 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.

• DFH test Technology test Agency: PRCAS. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi). References: 2. 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.

• Life Science (mice) Biological mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Life Science (mice) Biological mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. 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. References: 2. 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.

• Life Science (dog) Biological mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Life Science (dog) Biological mission Agency: Shanghai. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Nuclear test 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: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 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 Agency: CAST. Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• GF-01A satellite test Agency: CAST. Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

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

• DFH test Technology test Agency: CAST. Apogee: 81 km (50 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• FSW satellite technology test Agency: CAST. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• FSW satellite technology test Agency: CAST. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 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.

• Agency: PRC MAI. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). First test of prototype DF-3 (perhaps same configuration as CZ-1); not deployed. References: 2. 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: 2, 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Research and Development Suborbital Flight References: 2. 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.

• Shiyan Peizhong Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Research and Development Suborbital Flight References: 2. 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• DDDS test Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 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.

• DDDS test Agency: PRC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

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

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan. References: 2. 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.

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

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

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan on 15 October. References: 2. 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: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

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

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Reported 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 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: 2, 87. Level: 1.

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

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). References: 2. 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: 2, 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: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• HS-601 Model Agency: PRC. COSPAR: 1990-059xx. First launch of new Chinese launch vehicle. References: 2, 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: 2, 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 balloon. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• QQW 2 Payload: QQW 1B. Mass: 4.00 kg (8.80 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 596 km (370 mi). Apogee: 629 km (390 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 97.00 min. COSPAR: 1990-081C. USAF Sat Cat: 20790. Decay Date: 1991-07-24. QQW atmospheric balloon. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-1 No. 3 Payload: FSW-1 No. 03. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 312 km (193 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1990-089A. USAF Sat Cat: 20838. Decay Date: 1990-10-23. Fanhui Shi Weixing recoverable satellite; carried biological research experiments. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• China accepts nuclear nonproliferation treaty Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-4 Payload: STTW 5. Mass: 1,025 kg (2,259 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 2,023 km (1,257 mi). Apogee: 34,041 km (21,152 mi). Inclination: 32.30 deg. Period: 632.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-088A. USAF Sat Cat: 21833. Third stage failure; unusable orbit. DFH-2 operational communications satellite. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Chinese manned space programme authorised Spacecraft: Shenzhou. The Chinese leadership decided that an independent manned space program could be afforded. The Chinese National Manned Space Program was given the designation Project 921. The 921-1 manned capsule entered full scale development in 1993 and the 921-2 space station in 1999. Only preliminary work was authorised on the 921-3 reusable spaceplane. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• FSW-2 No. 1 Payload: FSW-2 No. 01. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 171 km (106 mi). Apogee: 332 km (206 mi). Inclination: 63.10 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1992-051A. USAF Sat Cat: 22072. Duration: 15.00 days. Decay Date: 1992-09-01. Fanhui Shi Weixing recoverable imaging satellite; carried microgravity experiments; capsule returned August 25 after 15 days in orbit. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• FSW-1 No. 4 Payload: FSW-1 No. 04. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min. COSPAR: 1992-064B. USAF Sat Cat: 22162. Duration: 6.00 days. Decay Date: 1992-10-31. Fanhui Shi Weixing recoverable imaging satellite; carried remote sensing, microgravity experiments; capsule recovered October 13 after 6 days in orbit. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Development of Shenzhou manned spacecraft begins Spacecraft: Shenzhou, Project 921-2. The 921-1 manned capsule entered full scale development in 1993 and the 921-2 space station in 1999. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• China breaks nuclear test moratorium Level: 1.

• FSW-1 No. 5 Payload: Jian Bing 93. Mass: 2,099 kg (4,627 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 2,860 km (1,770 mi). Inclination: 56.60 deg. Period: 116.50 min. COSPAR: 1993-063A. USAF Sat Cat: 22859. Decay Date: 1993-10-28. The only FSW-1 mission conducted during 1993-1994 was launched into an orbit of 209 km by 300 km at an inclination of 57.0 deg. In addition to an Earth observation Payload, FSW-1 5 carried microgravity research equipment and a diamond-studded medallion commemorating the 100th anniversary of Chairman Mao Tse-Tung's birth. The spacecraft operated normally until 16 October when an attempt to recover the satellite failed. An attitude control system failure aligned the spacecraft 90 deg from its desired position, causing the re-entry capsule to be pushed into a higher elliptical orbit (179 km by 3031 km) instead of returning to Earth. Natural decay did not bring the capsule back until March 12, 1996. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• SJ-4 Payload: Shi Jian 4. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 26,837 km (16,675 mi). Inclination: 28.70 deg. Period: 465.40 min. COSPAR: 1994-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 22996. Particles and fields research. References: 2, 6, 276. Level: 1.

• KF-1 Program: Chinastar. Payload: Kua Fu 1 / DFH-3 mockup. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 36,046 km (22,397 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 635.69 min. COSPAR: 1994-010B. USAF Sat Cat: 23009. Decay Date: 2002-02-07. Mass model of DFH-3 satellite. References: 2, 279. Level: 1.

• Chinese satellite accident. Spacecraft: FY-2. The first Fen Yung 2 geostationary weather satellite was undergoing final checkout before being mated to its launch vehicle when a fire and explosion erupted, destroying the vehicle, killing one worker and injuring 20 others. Level: 1.

• FSW-2 No. 2 Payload: FSW-2 No. 02. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 350 km (210 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 90.08 min. COSPAR: 1994-037A. USAF Sat Cat: 23145. Duration: 15.00 days. Decay Date: 1994-09-13. The second Fanhui Shi Weixing FSW-2 was launched on 3 July 1994 into an orbit of 173 km by 343 km at an inclination of 63.0 deg. The spacecraft remained in orbit for 15 days, making four small manoeuvres before successfully returning to Earth. The payload included Earth observation systems, a biological experiment, and microgravity research instruments. The retrievable capsule was recovered in China on July 18 References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Apstar 1 Program: Apstar. Mass: 1,383 kg (3,048 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: APT. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.12 min. COSPAR: 1994-043A. USAF Sat Cat: 23185. Asia-Pacific communications. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 138 deg E in 1994-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 138.04 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 141.96E drifting at 0.002W degrees per day. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-5 Program: Chinastar. Mass: 2,230 kg (4,910 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,225 km (21,887 mi). Apogee: 35,957 km (22,342 mi). Inclination: 0.15 deg. Period: 1,426.15 min. COSPAR: 1994-080A. USAF Sat Cat: 23415. Completed Operations Date: 1994-12-01. The first test launch of a DFH-3 by a CZ-3A launch vehicle was successful in attaining the proper transfer orbit, but during the subsequent manoeuvres to achieve geostationary orbit, the DFH-3 failed due to a malfunction of the satellite on-board propulsion system. The satellite was positioned at 132 deg E prior to the failure. As of 4 September 2001 located at 113.80 deg E drifting at 2.499 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 2 located at 90.02E drifting at 2.513E degrees per day. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Apstar 2 Program: Apstar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: PRC. COSPAR: F950125A. Decay Date: 1995-01-25. Because the Apstar failure happened a few seconds later than Optus, the consequences were catastrophic. The vehicle was destroyed, and the falling wreckage landed on a village down-range of the launch site, killing at least 20 and perhaps as many as 120 people. References: 5. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Asiasat 2 Program: Asiasat. Mass: 3,485 kg (7,683 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 7000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: Asiasat. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1995-064A. USAF Sat Cat: 23723. TV; 24 C-band and 9 Ku-band transponders. Stationed at 100.5 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 100 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 100.49 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 100.49E drifting at 0.011W degrees per day. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• China agrees to world ban on atomic testing Level: 1.

• Apstar 1A Program: Apstar. Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: APT. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 23943. 24 C-band transponders; Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 134 deg E in 1996-1999. As of 6 September 2001 located at 134.02 deg E drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 129.99E drifting at 0.007E degrees per day. References: 2, 6. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing 7 Program: Chinastar. Payload: Zhongxing 7. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 21,674 km (13,467 mi). Apogee: 46,499 km (28,893 mi). Inclination: 26.30 deg. Period: 1,350.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-048A. USAF Sat Cat: 24282. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FSW-2 No. 3 Payload: FSW-2 No. 03. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 121 km (75 mi). Apogee: 133 km (82 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 87.00 min. COSPAR: 1996-059A. USAF Sat Cat: 24634. Duration: 15.00 days. Decay Date: 1996-12-03. Final launch in the FSW series. Landed in China on November 4 after 15 days in orbit. References: 2, 276. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Deng Xiaoping, Chinese leader, dead at 92 Level: 1.

• Failed FSW Launch Spacecraft: FSW. Repeated rumours appeared that a Chinese military satellite was launched or suffered a failure on this date. The story was first carried by Reuters in May 1997. In December 2000 it was again reported in a Chinese professional magazine that China launched its last recoverable satellite on April 20, 1997. The last official launch of the series was in October 1996. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-6 Program: Chinastar. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 24798. The telecommunications satellite, the most sophisticated and complex satellite ever built in China, was equipped with 24 transponders used for television, digital transmission and other telecommunications services. It had a design life eight years. After over one year of tests the satellite was delivered to the end user, China Telecommunications Broadcast Satellite Corporation (Chinasat) on August 12 1998. A long term operation contract for the redesignated Chinasat-6 was signed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Chinasat and the Xian Satellite Control Center. Chinasat-6 operated in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg E in 1997-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 124.99 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 6 located at 123.93E drifting at 0.104W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FY-2A Payload: Fengyun 2A. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Manufacturer: Shanghai Aerospace Research Tech. Inst. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 24834. Geosynchronous weather satellite; also known as FY-2B. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 1997-2000; 85 deg E in 2000.. The FY-2A stopped transmission in April 1998 but was put back into partial operation in December 1998. Its imager then failed completely on 30 September 1998 and it was retired in April 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 83.55 deg E drifting at 0.074 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 58.96E drifting at 0.025W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Apstar 2R Program: Apstar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto. Agency: APT. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-062A. USAF Sat Cat: 25010. Geosynchronous. Stationed over 76.5E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 76 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 76.48 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 76.46E drifting at 0.002W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Chinese Astronauts Complete Training in Russia Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Two Chinese astronauts completed their training in Russia and returned to China. They would act as instructors for China's own astronaut training program. At the same time the largest thermal vacum test equipment in Asia finished construction. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Asiasat 3 Program: Asiasat. Payload: HGS-1. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Asiasat. Perigee: 35,612 km (22,128 mi). Apogee: 35,964 km (22,346 mi). Inclination: 5.50 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1997-086A. USAF Sat Cat: 25126. The spacecraft was left in a high inclination useless orbit by a failure of the DM-3 stage and became an insurance writeoff. Two trips around the Moon to remove the inclination under its new owner (Hughes) saw it back into very limited service (as HGS-1) by August 1998 over the Indian Ocean and available for sale at bargain rates. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 150-154 deg W in 1998; 60 deg W in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 59.68 deg W drifting at 0.024 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 169.58W drifting at 0.011W degrees per day. References: 2, 274. Level: 1.

• Beijing Space Conference Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Chinese papers at the meeting sketched details of future planned missions. China was likely to begin its manned flights with a single orbit around Earth, and later launch its lunar 'quest'. Existing Chinese launchers had the capability to send scientific devices, but not humans, to the moon -- it could take up to eight years to design a lunar spacecraft. Feasibility studies on trips to the moon and Mars had begun. Participants called for greater international cooperation in space and the lifting of an apparent freeze on China's participation in major joint projects. They resented China's exclusion from the International Space Station. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China to Launch Lunar and Mars Probes Spacecraft: Chinese Lunar Base. "China will actively participate in deep space exploration during the 21st century," said Mr Yuan Jiajun, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Space Technology. China also planned to launch two astrophysical satellites into low earth orbit, one in equatorial orbit and another in polar orbit. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Apstar 1A Hit by Mysterious Signal from Ground A mysterious signal hit one of the transmitters aboard the Apstar-1 telecommunications satellite on March 14, disrupting more than 400 securities companies' communications, cutting off service to more than 10 million pager users in China, and affecting China's earthquake monitoring systems. Technicians ruled out a problem with the satellite and tests showed the interference was earth-based. Service was restored to most users of the satellite by switching them to other channels. Apstar-1, the first comsat of Hong Kong based APT Satellite Holdings, was launched in 1994 by a Long March 3. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Timetable for Chinese Manned Flight Spacecraft: Shenzhou. A Guangzhou newspaper said that the first Chinese astronaut would fly by 2001. It also mentioned lunar and space station plans. This was the one of a series of reports about Chinese space plans of the period. References: 424. Level: 1.

• US Congress Investgates Space Technology Exports to China Several US Congressional committees investigated the Clinton administration's policy of exporting space satellite technology to China, asserting it had helped China and other countries to develop and use nuclear missiles. Two US companies were being investegated by the Justice Department as well. Beijing denied that it had gotten any sensitive technology from US. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China Completed New Wind Tunnels For Space Development Two special wind tunnels in southwest China's Sichuan Province were nearing completion. The new tunnels would be used for testing China's future space shuttle, launch vehicles, and strategic missiles. A high-frequency plasma wind tunnel and a supersonic flow wind tunnel were being built by China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center and would be the most advanced in Asia. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Manned Spacecraft Launch Set for 1999 Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Preparations for the first test launch of China's first manned spacecraft were underway at the launch site, a Shanghai newspaper reported. It said the first flight would be launched in late 1999. The space cabin, telemetry system and power system had been developed in Shanghai. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Astronauts Shown in Training A Guangzhou newspaper released a photo showing two Chinese astronauts wearing space suits in a vacum chamber. This was the first such photo released since the 1980's. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Zhongwei 1 Program: Chinastar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale (formerly Lockheed). Agency: China Or. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 25354. Also known as Chinastar 1; comsat to serve China, India, Korea and Southeast Asia with 18 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. Operated by the China Orient Telecommunications Satellite Company, part of the Chinese telecommunications ministry. Zhongwei 1 and the CZ-3B's final liquid hydrogen upper stage were placed in an initial supersynchronous 216 x 85,035 km x 24.4 deg transfer orbit. Geostationary at 87.6 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 87.49 deg E drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 87.64E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Beijing Space Technology Research and Test Center operational Phase I construction was completed of the new, large-scale Beijing Space Technology Research and Test Center, located in Tangjialing, northwest of Beijing. The center occupied 100 hectares and construction was begun in October 1994. The largest space center in China included spacecraft integration hangars, space environment and vibration test facilities, and a series of laboratories. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Sinosat Program: Sinosat. Mass: 2,820 kg (6,210 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000 . Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes, France (was Aerospatiale). Agency: Eurasspa. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-044A. USAF Sat Cat: 25404. The CZ-3B's liquid hydrogen upper stage and the Sinosat were placed in a 609 x 35958 km x 19.0 deg geostationary transfer orbit at 09:45 GMT. The first two liquid apogee burns were carried out on July 19 and 21. Sinosat, an Alcatel Spacebus 3000, was built in Cannes and owned temporarily by EurasSpace, a joint venture between Daimler-Benz Aerospace and the China Aerospace Corporation. After on-orbit testing it was delivered to the Sino Satellite Communications Company of Shanghai for communications services in China. The satellite carried 24 C-band transponders and 14 Ku-band transponders which covered the entire Asia-Pacific region. With a design life span of 15 years, the satellite was to provide multiple data transfer services for China's financial and air transportation control systems, as well as the Shanghai Information Port project, Sinosat operated in geosynchronous orbit at 110.5 deg E in 1998-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 110.55 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 110.51E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• China Astronaut Training Group 1 selected. Selection of astronauts to fly the Project 921 / Shenzhou manned spacecraft began at the end of 1995. Only PLAAF pilots were considered. Review of service records identified 1504 candidates, further reduced to 886 after stricter screening. In the summer of 1996, 60 candidates passed initial testing at their home bases and were sent to Beijing for final tests and interviews. By April 1997 the candidate list had been pared down to 20, and the final 12 were selected at the end of 1997. The group was officially established in January 1998. In March, 1998, the two Chinese astronauts trained in Russia in 1996, who were also the trainers of this first group of 12 cosmonauts, joined the group officially as candidates for future spaceflights, bringing the total to 14. Level: 1.

• US Says Chinese Obtained Secrets A special House committee found that technology transfers to China by Hughes Electronics and Loral Space and Communications harmed U.S. national security. The 700-page, five-volume report was classified. The Chinese government sharply denied allegations that it had mounted a 'serious and sustained' effort over the last 20 years to obtain militarily useful U.S. technology. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Plans for Chinese Manned Flight Officially Reported Spacecraft: Shenzhou. The official Chinese Liberation Daily reported that a Chinese manned flight would take place "by the end of this century or the beginning of the next," . This would make China the first country in more than 30 years to join the United States and Russia in the exclusive club of manned mission launchers. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Module on ISS explored Program: ISS. It was reported that China and Russia once discussed docking a Chinese module to the Russian section of the International Space Station. Spare docking ports would provide attachment points for Ukrainian and Chinese modules. Such possibilities had been discussed at the highest political levels. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese tracking fleet upgraded Spacecraft: Shenzhou. A sixteen month overhaul of China's space tracking fleet was completed in Shanghai. The upgraded ships were capable of global tracking and control with a 400-fold increase in data transfer rates. The fleet was now ready for support of the first test launch of a Chinese manned spacecraft. To support this, for the first time three Yuanwang tracking ships would be deployed in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China to Test Reusable Spacecraft at the end of 2000 Spacecraft: Shenzhou. China planned to launch its own re-usable "space shuttle" with a maiden unmanned mission at the end of next year, said an astronomical engineer in charge of one of dozens of scientific research payloads that will be aboard. The engineer said the lift-capacity problems have already been resolved and he had been briefed on the cost of the Chinese shuttle but that he could not reveal it, as the information is classified. (AFP) References: 424. Level: 1.

• US Blocks Blocks AMPT communictions satellite project with China. The United States rejected a $450 million Hughes satellite deal with China over fears it could compromise U.S. national security. The APMT satellite was designed to provide mobile telephone links over much of Asia and was 51 percent owned by Chinese interests. This marked the end of Chinese-US commercial collaboration in space, with China thereafter concentrating on deals with European or other developing world partners. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Manned Space Plans Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Zhang Heqi, the chief astronomer of the Chinese space program said that an earlier report regarding a Chinese 'shuttle' was incorrect - 'It is a manned spacecraft, not a shuttle'. There was to be an unmanned launch in one or two years. A manned launch would follow this test in the next few years.The first unmanned spacecraft might carry animals to pave the way for future manned flights. It was also reported that China had selected several astronaut candidates from PLA Air Force fighter pilots. References: 424. Level: 1.

• U.S. accuses China of stealing nuclear secrets Level: 1.

• Chinese Man-Rated Launch Vehicle Test Predicted Spacecraft: Shenzhou. It was reported on the Internet that the maiden flight of a new version of the CZ-2E designed to carry a manned vehicle would be made by mid-1999. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China Proposes Ban on Space Weapons China, backed by Pakistan and Egypt, proposed a ban on weapons in outer space. Formal negotiations would take place via the UN Conference on Disarmament. The USA did not respond to China's proposal. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Asiasat 3S Program: Asiasat. Payload: HS 601HP. Mass: 3,463 kg (7,634 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Asiasat. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 1999-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 25657. A replacement for Asiasat 3, placed in the wrong orbit by a Proton launch in 1997, Asiasat 3S carried C and Ku band transponders. The Blok DM3 upper stage placed it a 9,677 km x 35,967 km x 13.1 deg geosynchronous transfer orbit. Asiasat's on-board R4D apogee engine was to be used to raise perigee to geostationary altitude. Mass in transfer orbit was 3,463 kg, down to 2,500 kg after insertion in geostationary orbit. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E from 1999. As of 4 September 2001 located at 105.52 deg E drifting at 0.008 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 105.46E drifting at 0.017W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Manned Program Delayed Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Far eastern newspapers reported an accident at Jiuquan Launch Center late May 1999. It was said that a fuel depot exploded, resulting in casualties and delaying the first manned vehicle launch originally scheduled for October. References: 424. Level: 1.

• FY-1C Payload: Feng Yun 1C. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-1. Manufacturer: Shanghai Inst. of Satellite Engineering. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 847 km (526 mi). Apogee: 869 km (539 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. COSPAR: 1999-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 25730. Operational weather satellite. First launch of stretched CZ-4B booster. After retirement the satellite was destroyed in the first test of the Chinese ASAT weapon on 11 January 2007. References: 2. Level: 1.

• SJ-5 Payload: Shi Jian 5. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: SJ. Manufacturer: Shanghai Inst. of Satellite Engineering. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 843 km (523 mi). Apogee: 869 km (539 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. COSPAR: 1999-025B. USAF Sat Cat: 25731. Research satellite carried as a secondary payload to study the radiation belts. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Cox Report Released US Congressional panel under Christopher Cox released a 700-page report claiming China had stolen American secrets in the fields of nuclear weapons, rocket and space technology, and supercomputers. China angrily denied the allegations. References: 424. Level: 1.

• CZ-2F Photograph Appears on the Internet Spacecraft: Shenzhou. A photograph of the CZ-2F manned spacecraft launch vehicle and its vertical assembly building was posted anonymously on the Internet. It was said to have been taken in May 1998 at the Jiuquan launch site by a contruction contractor. Some believed the photograph to be a phony but events later proved it to be real and a deliberate leak. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Hainan Commercial Space Port Proposed A Chinese company proposed a project to build a space port in Hainan. The $500 million project would include a launch complex, a tourist center and an industrial park. Hainan was already used as a sounding rocket launch site. It provided the most southern possible launch site on Chinese territory, which would maximise payload when launching geosynchronous satellites. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Project 921-2 Go-Ahead Spacecraft: Project 921-2. China initiated the second phase of the National Manned Space program - Project 921-2. Phase 2 would focus on a manned 'space lab' and related key technologies. A China Academy of Science research team, including six subgroups on specific topics, was established in February 1999 to issue a requirements document. The new Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences was also involved. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Manned Program Announcement Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Zhang Lihui, Director of Research and Development at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), said that a development plan for manned-space flight technology was issued by the Chinese State Council in 1992 and that China was on track to launch a manned space flight by early in the next century. This was the first direct official acknowledgement of such a program. References: 424. Level: 1.

• New Tracking Ship Joins Yuan Wang Fleet Spacecraft: Shenzhou. A new space tracking ship, Yuan Wang 4, was delivered to China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. This was the fourth tracking ship in China's Yuan Wang space tracking fleet. The Yuan Wang 4 tracking ship was converted from the scientific survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 10. The announcment also contained the second announcement that the fleet would deploy for a major new operation (a test of a manned spacecraft) within the next year. The Yuan Wang 4 was 156.09 m long, 20.6 m wide along the mold-line, and had a displacement of 10,895 tons. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• China Upgrades Launch Facilities Tang Xianming, Director of the Xichang Launch Center, confirmed the construction of a new Vertical Assembly Facility at the Jiuquan Launch Center. He also affirmed that China would continue to use the Xichang Launch Center, which would be upgraded with improved data processing and control equipment. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China and Russia Sign Space Co-operation Agreement China and Russia signed a new agreement in Beijing on the co-operation in the peaceful space exploration. Joint research would be conducted in telecommunication systems, Earth surface monitoring, and satellite navigation. The agreement also covered scientific research aboard the Mir space station, but not visits of Chinese cosmonauts to Mir. It was also reported that Russia was working with China not only on design of the new manned spacecraft, but also on the 921-2 space station. References: 424. Level: 1.

• ZY-1 Payload: Zi Yuan 1. Mass: 1,540 kg (3,390 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: ZY. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Agency: CAST/INP. Perigee: 773 km (480 mi). Apogee: 774 km (480 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. COSPAR: 1999-057A. USAF Sat Cat: 25940. China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite. China's first earth resources satellite, known as ZY-1, weighed 1,540 kilograms. Chief designer was Chen Yiyuan. The satellite, a joint project of China and Brazil, was designed to gather information on the environment, agriculture and urban planning through remote sensing images and data transmitted to China, Brazil and other countries. Planned lifetime was two years. The satellite circled the Earth 14 times a day and the groundtrack repeated after 26 days. By 23 February 2000 it had taken more than 20,000 high quality images. It was formally handed over for operational use on March 2 2000. The High Resolution CCD Camera had a resolution of 20 meters in the visible spectrum. The camera could point up to 32 degrees to either side of vertical, imaging the earth's surface stereoscopically. After 177 days the Wide Field Imager failed in early May 2000. Other devices, including the high resolution CCD camera, continue to work normally. References: 2. Level: 1.

• China Plans Exploration of Moon and Mars in 21st Century Spacecraft: Chinese Lunar Base. A national conference of space scientists held in southern Beihai, Guangxi, said that the Moon and Mars were the 'two big targets' for the country's space programme in the 21st century. Ye Zili, the China Space Science Association's General Secretary, said that dozens of plans and proposals for the two projects had been put forward. However no substantial government funding for such projects was to be available in the immediate future. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou Mass: 7,600 kg (16,700 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Manufacturer: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Tech., Beijing. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 196 km (122 mi). Apogee: 324 km (202 mi). Inclination: 42.60 deg. COSPAR: 1999-061A. USAF Sat Cat: 25956. Duration: 0.88 days. Decay Date: 1999-11-20. The unmanned first test flight of a prototype of the Chinese Project 921-1 spacecraft took place 49 days after the planned date of October 1, 1999. Shenzhou separated from its launch vehicle and went into orbit about ten minutes after lift-off. The spacecraft was controlled from the new Beijing Aerospace Directing and Controlling Centre. The spacecraft did not manoeuvre during the flight. The first attempt to return the spacecraft to earth came on orbitt 12, but the retrofire command would not be accepted by the spacecraft's computer. A retry on the next orbit also failed.

  The Yuanwang-3 tracking ship off the coast of Namibia picked up the spacecraft's signal at 18:49 UT, and commanded retro-fire. This time the spacecraft accepted the command, which probably saved the entire program. The spacecraft passed out of range of the tracking ship nine minutes later. Its trajectory arced over Africa, skimmed the coast of the Arabian peninsula, and then over Pakistan, before re-entering over Tibet.

  Following re-entry, the drogue chute deployed at an altitude of 30 km with the capsules soft-landing rockets firing 1.5 m above the ground. The capsule landed at 41 deg N, 105 deg E, (415 km East of its launch pad and 110 km north-west of Wuhai, Inner Mongolia), at November 20 19:41 UT. The spacecraft had completed 14 orbits of the earth in 21 hours and 11 minutes.

  After the flight it was reported that not a single primary spacecraft system had failed, so none of the back-up systems were tested. The touchdown point was only 12 km from the predicted position. The soft landing braking rocket worked well - no damage was found to the capsule structure, heat shield or the seals. The jettisoned heat shield, parachute hatch, and drogue chute were found within 5 km of the landing point. The orbital module, which separated prior to retro-fire, continued in controlled flight until 27 November, when it decayed and reentered the atmosphere. A primary payload returned by Shenzhou were 100 kg of seeds, considered valuable to the Chinese after one day of exposure to the space environment. The Chinese space tracking fleet returned from the Shenzhou mission between 12 December 1999 and 4 January 2000. During their 259-day voyage, the four ships traveled 185,000 km and experienced some heavy seas while tracking and communicating with the Shenzhou for a total of 150 minutes. Additional Details: Shenzhou(18859). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou Chief Designer Revealed Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Qi Faren, the General Designer of the Shenzhou had participated in the design of China's first satellite and was appointed the general designer of Chinese spacecraft in 1992. During the ensuing seven years, Qi directed and co-ordinated his thousand-strong team to '...make a breakthrough in China's manned space travel technology. We are now losing no time in furthering our research. We plan to send humans into space as soon as possible'. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China Has No Shuttle Program There is no a shuttle program in China, stated Liu Jiyuan, former president of China Aerospace Corporation, adding that the formal shuttle project had not started. He also said that the first Shenzhou manned flight would depends on the results of unmanned tests, and that no animal flights were planned. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Military Space Research Center Formed China formed a military space research center at the People Liberation Army's Arms and Command Technologies College. The center would study military space technologies including space launch operations and space war. It was equipped with various space simulation facilities. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese tracking fleet returns Spacecraft: Shenzhou. The Chinese space tracking ship "Yuanwang 3" has returned to the Jiangnan Port of Nanjing in East China's Jiangsu Province after successfully completing its mission with China's first experimental spacecraft "Shenzhou." The other three ships, Yuanwang 1, 2 and 4, returned from their missions earlier. During their 259-day voyage, the four ships traveled some 62, 000 nautical miles and experienced some heavy seas while tracking and communicating with the "Shenzhou" for a total of 150 minutes. (People's Daily) --- note the December 12 news (all 4 ships return) on this site is not precise. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing-22 Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FH-1. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Agency: CAST. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 26058. First Chinese military communications satellite. Perhaps an update of the DFH-3 design. Stationed at 98 deg E. The first in a planned constellation of satellites to be launched through 2010. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 98 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.03 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 97.95E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Discovery of GRV 99027 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite) Level: 1.

• Lockheed charged on rocket technology transfer to China Lockheed Martin was charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act by assisting China in redesigning their apogee kick motor (EPKM) for the Asiasat-2 communications satellite. This was denied by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which said that the EPKM was of totally indigenous design. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China to Develop Solid Fuel Launch Vehicle China established the Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co., Ltd., to develop the new SLV-1 launch vehicle. This would be a mobile, partially reusable small space launcher. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Fengyun-2 Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Manufacturer: Shanghai Inst. of Satellite Engineering. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2000-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 26382. Second Fengyun-2 weather satellite, replacing the first FY-2 (retired in April after a three year service life). The spin-stabilised FY-2 fired its solid apogee motor early on Jun 26. By July 3, it was in a 35,791 x 35,804 km x 1.1 deg orbit drifting over the Pacific. Stationed at 104 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 104.56 deg E drifting at 0.030 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 34.70W drifting at 0.629W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Tsinghua Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MicroSat-70. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: Tsinghua. Perigee: 687 km (427 mi). Apogee: 713 km (443 mi). Inclination: 98.14 deg. Period: 98.68 min. COSPAR: 2000-033B. USAF Sat Cat: 26385. Tsinghua University of Beijing satellite equipped with an imager, communications payload, and momentum wheels for 3-axis stabilisation. The 50 kg, 0.69 x 0.36 x 0.36m box-shaped satellite used a standard Surrey SSTL microsat bus.Tsinghua-1 was the first demonstrator for the planned Disaster Monitoring Constellation and carried a multi-spectral Earth imaging camera providing 39-metre nadir ground resolution in 3 spectral bands. The satellite also carried out research in low Earth orbit using digital store-and-forward communications, a digital signal processing (DSP) experiment, a Surrey-built GPS space receiver and a new 3-axis microsat attitude control experiment. Tsinghua-1 used the SGR-10, with 12 channels and equipped with two receive antennas, to investigate the use of GPS signals in microsat on-board attitude and orbit determination. In October 2000 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) released a picture of Tsinghua-1 taken in orbit by the SNAP-1 6.5 kg nanosatellite. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Russia seeks help to keep GLONASS network operating Spacecraft: Glonass. Russia invited China to participate in financing a new group of Glonass satellites. An operational system would require 24 satellites to be in operation. However by mid-2000 there were only 14 satellites available, and only nine fully operating. The system would require 1.5 billion rubles a year to operate and replenish the satellite constellaton. References: 424. Level: 1.

• KT-1 solid rocket launcher China completed the overall design of the rocket engine that is to be used on its first all-solid space launch vehicle. References: 424. Level: 1.

• ZY-2 Payload: Zi Yuan 2. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: ZY. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Agency: CAST. Perigee: 489 km (304 mi). Apogee: 501 km (311 mi). Inclination: 97.41 deg. Period: 94.43 min. COSPAR: 2000-050A. USAF Sat Cat: 26481. The ZY-2 (Ziyuan-2 ('Resource-2'), while disguised as a civilian earth monitoring system, was actually code-named Jianbing-3 and was China's first high-resolution military imaging satellite. The cover story of the official Xinhua news agency was that the civilian remote sensing system would be used primarily in territorial surveying, city planning, crop yield assessment, disaster monitoring and space science experimentation. However the satellite was placed at a much lower altitude than the ZY-1 satellite and US intelligence sources indicated that it was a photo-reconnaissance satellite for exclusively military purposes, such as targeting missiles at US and Taiwanese forces. The new satellite was believed to employ digital-imaging technology and to have a resolution of 2 m or less. The satellite was designed and built by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology and was developed indigenously. It was said to be more advanced than earlier sensing satellites and was expected to have an orbital life of two years. The camera provided more than three times the resolution of the ZY-1 earth resources satellite. The Zi Yuan 2 satellite may have used the CBERS Sino-Brazilian bus of the earlier ZY-1. However it was also said to be of new design and demonstrated the capability to maneuver in orbit, adjusting its orbit after launch. In October 2000 Chinese scientists denied that the ZY-2 satellite had a military mission. It was said to be a remote-sensing satellite equipped with CCD cameras and an infrared multispectral scanner that could only identify objects on the ground with a resolution of several dozen meters to 1 km. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Chinese Rocket Plans Chief Designer of Chinese rockets Long Lehao described China's three-phase future space launcher plan. Phase 1, 2001-2003: Modify existing launchers to increase their reliability and payload capacity. Phase 2, by 2005: Develop non-toxic, non-polluting launchers, and increase low-Earth-orbit launch capacity to over 20 tonnes and geosynchronous transfer orbit capacity from the current 5.5 tonnes to about 14 tonnes. Phase 3: Develop a recoverable launch vehicle with lower launch costs. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China Reveals New Launcher Detail During the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) annual congress in Rio de Janeiro, China unveiled deatils of its new CZ-5 heavy launch vehicle family. Powered by kerosene/LOX/LH2 engines and four strap-on boosters, the new 800-ton, 50-55-meter high launcher would be capable of lifting 23 tonnes into LEO and 11 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit. The CZ-2E(A), equipped with new avionics from the man-rated CZ-2F, was to be tested by 2003. The CZ-1D small launcher was slated to make its first flight in 2001, while yet another small launcher, a 4 stage solid rocket, was under design. References: 424. Level: 1.

• No immediate Chinese lunar landing plans Spacecraft: Chinese Lunar Base. Chinese scientists clarifed that their space robotics research was purely academic and that there was no officially authorised Chinese lunar landing program. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Beidou 1A Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Agency: CNSA. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 2000-069A. USAF Sat Cat: 26599. Beidou was China's first experimental navigation technology satellite, developed by CAST/Beijing. The satellite was placed in an initial 195 x 41889 km x 25.0 deg orbit geostationary transfer orbit before entering its final geosynchornous orbit at around 0500 GMT on November 6. Stationed at 140 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Solid Launcher Officially Named China's new solid small space launcher was officially named "Kaituozhe-1" (Explorer-1). The launcher would be capable of putting 100 kg into polar orbit and was scheduled to make its first flight in 2002. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1) small launcher passes design review A 14-member review committee concluded that the overall design of the KT-1 launch vehicle was feasible and could meet the requirement for launching micro-sats. The project officially entered the engineering phase. References: 424. Level: 1.

• China Tracking Station in Namibia Spacecraft: Shenzhou. China and Namibia signed an agreement to build a tracking, telemetry and space research station (TTST) in Namibia to support China's manned space program. The station would cover an area of 150 by 85 metres and consist of an administration building and two antennae. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Test mission Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• Beidou 1B Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Agency: CNSA. Perigee: 35,753 km (22,215 mi). Apogee: 35,821 km (22,258 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-082A. USAF Sat Cat: 26643. Second Beidou geosynchronous navigation satellite. The CZ-3A rocket's third stage put Beidou in geostationary transfer orbit at around 1642 GMT. The Beidou satellite was based on the DFH-3 comsat and had a mass of around 2200 kg including its FY-25 solid apogee motor. On December 25 Beidou was in a 190 x 41870 km x 25.0 deg transfer orbit. The launch of this second Beidou completed the prototype two-satellite navigational system which was to provide positional information for highway, railway and marine transportation. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 80 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Yuan Wang deployed for Shenzhou 2 flight Spacecraft: Shenzhou. China reported that the four Yuan Wang tracking ships celebrated the New Year on remote oceans. Yuan Wang 1 and 2 were in the Pacific Ocean, Yuan Wang 4 had arrived in the Indian Ocean, and Yuan Wang 3 was en route to the Atlantic Ocean. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou 2 Mass: 7,400 kg (16,300 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Manufacturer: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 330 km (200 mi). Apogee: 346 km (214 mi). Inclination: 42.60 deg. COSPAR: 2001-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 26664. Duration: 6.77 days. Decay Date: 2001-01-16. The second unmanned test flight of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft design carried a monkey, a dog and a rabbit in a test of the spaceship's life support systems. Shenzhou 2 was the first test of an all-up flight model of the spacecraft, with a functioning orbital module. It was also the most ambitious space science laboratory ever launched by China. It carried 64 scientific payloads: 15 in the re-entry module, 12 in the orbital module and 37 on the forward external pallet. These included a micro-gravity crystal growing device; life sciences experiments with 19 species of animals and plants, cosmic ray and particle detectors; and China's first gamma ray burst detectors.

  The launch was originally scheduled for January 5, but the second stage of the launch vehicle was dented by an access platform while being prepared for roll-out in the vehicle assembly building. This caused several days of delay until it was cleared for flight. Shenzhou 2 made three orbit-raising manoeuvres during its flight, reaching a 330 x 345 km orbit by the end of the initial phase of the mission. Ninety minutes before landing the orbital module depressurised, and the spacecraft went briefly out of control. However this was regained after venting of the atmosphere from the module ended. The descent module and service modules separated from the forward orbital module and external pallet normally. After retrofire by the service module, it separated and the descent module landed at 11:22 GMT on January 16 in Inner Mongolia. Lack of post-recovery photographs led to speculation that the recovery may not have been completely successful. The Shenzhou orbital module had its own solar panels and remained operational in orbit, conducting scientific experiments. It was actively controlled for six months, maneuvering in orbit several times (reaching a final orbit of 394 x 405 km). It then was allowed to decay and reentered the atmosphere at 09:05 GMT on August 24, 2001. The reentry point was near 33.1 deg S in latitude and 260.4 deg E in longitude, over the western Pacific Ocean between Easter Island and Chile. References: 2, 296, 460, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Kaituozhe 1 Third Stage Engine Successfully Tested The solid engine used on the third stage of the Kaituozhe 1 launch vehicle performed its first ground test firing. The test was successful and all parameters meet design specifications. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Kaitozhe 1 First Commercial Launch in 2002 Kaituozhe 1's first commercial launch was scheduled for 2002. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Chinese Lunar Exploration Plan Spacecraft: Chinese Lunar Base. A Chinese aerospace magazine indicated that Chinese scientists had drafted a four-phase long term plan.
  • Phase 1, by 2005: Lunar flyby or orbiting satellite missions, perhaps using the DFH-3 bus.
  • Phase 2, by 2010: unmanned soft-landing missions. Phase 3, by 2020: Robotic exploration using surface rovers. Phase 4, by 2030: Lunar sample return missions.
  Only after 2030 would manned flights and construction of a lunar base begin. References: 424. Level: 1.

• ESA To Help China Join ISS Program: ISS. ESA and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) were reported to have reached 'an intention to collaborate' to inclusion of China in the International Space Station project. References: 424. Level: 1.

• Namibia Tracking Station Completed Spacecraft: Shenzhou. China completed construction of a tracking, telemetry and command station in Swakopmund, Namibia, Africa. References: 424, 460. Level: 1.

• CZ-1 Missile Technology Test Agency: PRC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Chinese People's Liberation Army test launch with dummy warhead. Suborbital - failure. Delayed from early November 2001. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou 3 Mass: 7,800 kg (17,100 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Manufacturer: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Agency: China Aerospace Corp. (China). Perigee: 374 km (232 mi). Apogee: 379 km (235 mi). Inclination: 42.40 deg. Period: 92.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 27397. Duration: 6.78 days. Decay Date: 2002-04-01. The third unmanned test of the Shenzhou spacecraft was delayed almost three months when a defective connector was found on the booster after roll-out to the pad in January 2002. The vehicle was disassembled, and all suspect connectors were replaced. The stand-down also revealed ten previously undetected defects in the space capsule. The spacecraft, the first all-up flight model with a functioning (but deactivated) launch escape system, was finally launched and placed into an initial 197 x 326 km x 42.4 deg orbit at 1425 UTC. At about 2120 UTC Shenzhou used its own engine to raise its orbit to 332 x 337 km. The capsule included a dummy astronaut instrumented to monitor life support systems. The descent module returned to Earth on April 1 at 0851 UTC, landing in Inner Mongolia. The orbital module remained in orbit to carry out further experiments, finally being deorbited on 12 November 2002. The spacecraft carried 44 scientific payloads, including a medium-resolution imaging radiometer developed by Chinese Academy of Sciences, installed on the instrument pallet atop the orbital module. References: 2, 460, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Hai Yang 1 Mass: 360 kg (790 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Resource. Spacecraft: HY-1. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 793 km (492 mi). Apogee: 799 km (496 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. COSPAR: 2002-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 27430. The HY-1 (Haiyang-1) marine observation satellite separated shortly after the FY-1D. The 360 kg HY-1 was based on the SJ-5 bus and carried an IR radiometer and CCD imager for oceanographic studies. Between May 21 and May 26, HY-1 lowered its orbit to 793 x 799 km using on-board propulsion. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Feng Yun 1D Mass: 960 kg (2,110 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-1. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 851 km (528 mi). Apogee: 871 km (541 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. COSPAR: 2002-024B. USAF Sat Cat: 27431. The second stage separated six minutes after launch, putting the stack on a suborbital trajectory. After a brief coast up to 860 km the third stage fired at around 0200 UTC to circularize the orbit. FY-1D, a 950 kg weather satellite with a 10-channel radiometer, separated from the stack followed by a small adapter. The final stage was left in a slightly lower 812 x 883 km orbit. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• HTSTL-1 Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Hangtian-Tsinghua Satellite Technology Ltd. Agency: Tsinghua University (China). COSPAR: F020915. First attempted launch of the all-solid-propellant KT-1 launch vehicle. The 50 kg test satellite, built by university students, was to have been placed in a 300 km polar orbit. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• ZY-2 Payload: Zi Yuan 2-2. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: ZY. Agency: Chinese Academy of Space Technology. Perigee: 470 km (290 mi). Apogee: 483 km (300 mi). Inclination: 97.40 deg. Period: 94.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-049A. USAF Sat Cat: 27550. JB-3 2 was nominally a Chinese (PRC) remote sensing satellite, although US intelligence sources indicated it had primarily an intelligence imaging mission. JB-3 2 was the name adopted by the USSPACECOM. Most news reports from China and elsewhere use different names: ZY-2B (acronym for ZiYuan-2B, translated as Resource-2B), and Zhong Guo Zi Yuan Er Hao, translated as China Resource 2. No information was available on the instruments onboard the JB-3 2, but officially it was intended 'for territorial survey, environment monitoring and protection, urban planning, crop yield assessment, disaster monitoring, and space scientific experiments'. The initial orbital parameters of this sun-synchronous satellite were period 94.1 min, apogee 483 km, perigee 470 km, and inclination 97.4°. References: 2, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• Shenzhou 4 Mass: 7,794 kg (17,182 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Manufacturer: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Agency: China Aerospace Corp. (China). Perigee: 331 km (205 mi). Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). Inclination: 42.40 deg. Period: 91.20 min. COSPAR: 2002-061A. USAF Sat Cat: 27630. Duration: 6.77 days. Decay Date: 2003-01-05. Final unmanned test of the Shenzhou spacecraft. First night launch of the CZ-2F was viewed by Party leaders on a very cold but clear night. The spacecraft carried fifty-two science payloads in four main areas: microwave Earth observation, space environment monitoring, microgravity fluid physics, and biological technology research. The spacecraft's reentry capsule was successfully recovered on 5 January 2003 at 1116 UT. The Chinese released the news and photographs of the capsule in the dusk snow only an hour later. The landing site was 40 km from Hohhot (40.51deg N, 111.38 deg E). As in prior missions, the orbital module continued in orbit. Chinese astronauts trained on the actual flight hardware before the launch and it was officially announced that this successful mission set the stage for a first Chinese manned spaceflight in the second half of 2003. Western observors noted that the orbit and ground track allowed launch of a second rendezvous vehicle, an indication of future manned space station missions. Shenzhou 4 carried 52 scientific payloads including a microwave radiometer using a reflector antenna, installed on top of the orbital module. References: 2, 110, 460, 552, 554. Level: 1.

• AsiaSat 4 Payload: HS 601HP / AsiaSat 1R. Mass: 4,042 kg (8,911 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Boeing Satellite Systems. Agency: AsiaSat. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2003-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 27718. Delayed from May 28, 2002, and January 13, February 5, and April 11, 2003. AsiaSat 4 was designed to provide broadcast, telecommunications and broadband multimedia services to the Asia Pacific region, and direct-to-home broadcast servic-es to Hong Kong, from its orbital position of 122 deg É East longitude.The satellite generated up to 9,600 watts using two sun-tracking four-panel solar wings covered with triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. AsiaSat 4 was to operate in C-band and Ku-band. The satellite carried 28 active transponders with six spares in C-band, powered by 55-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), and 20 active transponders with four spares in Ku-band, powered by 140-watt TWTAs. The C-band payload was designed to offer pan-Asian coverage, similar to AsiaSat 3S, also a 601HP model. The Ku-band payload provided high power, and spot beams for selected areas in either the Fixed Satellite Service frequency band or in the Broadcast Satellite Service frequency band. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 122.23E drifting at 0.011W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Beidou 2A Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Perigee: 35,760 km (22,220 mi). Apogee: 35,836 km (22,267 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.70 min. COSPAR: 2003-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 27813. Navigation technology satellite, joined Beidou 1A and 1B launched in December 2000. This third satellite was considered a back-up element, Positioned at 110 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Kaituozhe 1 Payload: PS-2. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). COSPAR: F20030916. Second attempted launch of KT-1. The launch was intended to place a 40 kg microsatellite called PS-2 into a 300 x 300 km polar orbit. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou 5 Mass: 7,840 kg (17,280 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Manufacturer: CALT. Agency: PLAAF. Perigee: 332 km (206 mi). Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 42.42 deg. Period: 91.20 min. COSPAR: 2003-045A. USAF Sat Cat: 28043. Duration: 0.89 days. Decay Date: 2003-10-16. Crew: Yang Liwei. Flight: Shenzhou 5. China's first manned spaceflight began with the lift-off of the CZ-2F booster into the clear blue morning sky. All went according to plan and China's first man in space, Yang Liwei, entered an initial 200 km x 343 km orbit ten minutes after launch. The naval vessels standing buy for rescue in the Sea of Japan were called back to port.

  The highly conservative mission plan was for Yang to remain in the Shenzhou re-entry capsule for the entire 21-hour mission, and not to enter the orbital module. He had two rest periods of three hours each, and was scheduled to eat once or twice meals of what was said to be a superior form of Chinese space food. Frequent communications sessions, including colour television links to the spacecraft, were made possible by China's four tracking ships deployed in the oceans of the world.

  As the spacecraft was in its 21st orbit, the orbital module separated. It would stay in the 343 km orbit for a planned six-month military imaging reconnaissance mission. Retrofire was commanded via a tracking ship in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. Shenzhou-5 landed only 4.8 km from the aim-point in Inner Mongolia with the parachute being sighted by the ground recovery forces prior to landing. Yang landed after 21 hours 23 minutes aloft. References: 2, 434. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou 5 Orbital Module Mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Perigee: 338 km (210 mi). Apogee: 347 km (215 mi). Inclination: 42.40 deg. Period: 91.40 min. COSPAR: 2003-045G. USAF Sat Cat: 28049. Decay Date: 2004-05-30. The Shenzhou 5 orbital module was essential an unmanned military reconnaisance satellite. It was never entered by the astronaut during the mission, and was equipped with two high resolution (1.6 m) surveillance cameras. It was expected to operate until at least spring 2004. References: 2. Level: 1.

• ZY-1-2 (CBERS-2) Payload: Zi Yuan 1B. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: ZY. Agency: China Aerospace Corp. (China), INPE (Brazil). Perigee: 731 km (454 mi). Apogee: 750 km (460 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 99.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-049A. USAF Sat Cat: 28057. Delayed from late 2001, September 3 2002, March 14 and September 2003. Second China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS 2). References: 2. Level: 1.

• CX-1 Payload: Chuang Xin 1. Class: Technology, Data Gat. Agency: Chinese Academy of Sciences. Perigee: 686 km (426 mi). Apogee: 759 km (471 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 99.20 min. COSPAR: 2003-049B. USAF Sat Cat: 28058. Chuangxin-1 (or Innovation-1) was China's first experimental small satellite for store-and-forward short message data communications in low Earth orbit. With a mass less than 100 kg, the Chuangxin-1 was developed in light of national strategic demands. Starting from 1999 with support of the national Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the project was carried out jointly by researchers from the CAS Shanghai Institute of Microsystem Information Technology and the CAS Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics. The satellite used spread spectrum communication and subsystems included a communication transponder, onboard computer, attitude control, energy source, thermal control, and structure. The mission was to demonstrate data communications for such sectors as traffic and transportation, environment protection, oil and gas transportation, flood and drought control, detection of forest fire and earthquake monitoring. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FSW-3 No. 1 Payload: FSW-18, FSW-3.1, Jianbing 4. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Agency: Shangai Academy of Space Technology. Perigee: 141 km (87 mi). Apogee: 165 km (102 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 87.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-051A. USAF Sat Cat: 28078. Decay Date: 2003-12-18. Expected to have been long-awaited 'seeds in space' mission but official announcements spoke only of photography. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing 20 Payload: Feng Huo 2. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Perigee: 35,762 km (22,221 mi). Apogee: 35,811 km (22,251 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-052A. USAF Sat Cat: 28082. Military communications satellite. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 103.00E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Tan Ce 1 Payload: Double Star 1, DSP-E. Mass: 350 kg (770 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Double Star. Perigee: 555 km (344 mi). Apogee: 78,051 km (48,498 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. COSPAR: 2003-061A. USAF Sat Cat: 28140. Equatorial member of a pair of Chinese-European magnetospheric research satellites carrying surplus instrumentation from the ESA Cluster program. First CZ-2C launch from Xichang. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• Tansuo 1 Payload: Shiyan 1. Mass: 204 kg (449 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Shiyan. Agency: University of Harbin. Perigee: 598 km (371 mi). Apogee: 616 km (382 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 96.80 min. COSPAR: 2004-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 28220. China's first transmission-type small satellite capable of stereo mapping. It was jointly designed by the Harbin Polytechnic University, Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology, Changchun Photomechanical Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)and Xi'an Surveys and Designs Institute. The experiment satellite carried out photographic surveys of China's land resources, monitored the geographical environment and conducted scientific research on mapping. It was handed over for use to the Satellite Remote-Sensing Ground Station of CAS following the on-orbit testing. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Naxing 1 Mass: 25 kg (55 lb). Class: Surveillance. Spacecraft: OlympicSat. Agency: Tsinghua University. Perigee: 599 km (372 mi). Apogee: 616 km (382 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 96.80 min. COSPAR: 2004-012B. USAF Sat Cat: 28221. Naxing 1 (a contraction of Nami Weixing 'Nanosatellite') was designed for high-tech experiments. The satellite was developed and will be used by the elite Qinghua University and the Aerospace Qinghua Satellite Technologies Co. Ltd. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Unannounced Chinese satellite? Class: Surveillance. Agency: PLA?. Perigee: 339 km (210 mi). Apogee: 532 km (330 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 93.30 min. COSPAR: 2004-012D. USAF Sat Cat: 28223. The announced mass of the two satellites launched was far less than the payload capability of the CZ-2C. It was believed that an unannounced military satellite may have been orbited. Object 2004-12D was in a much lower perigee orbit of 350 x 606 km x 97 deg and may have separated prior to second stage vernier cutoff. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Apstar 5 Program: Apstar. Payload: Apstar 1R, Telstar 18, LS-1300. Mass: 4,640 kg (10,220 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral. Agency: APT Satellite (China). Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2004-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 28364. Delayed from November 2003, April 28 2004. Partial failure (upper stage). As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 138.01E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• Tan Ce 2 Payload: Double Star 2, DSP-P. Mass: 660 kg (1,450 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Double Star. Manufacturer: Aerospace Dongfanghong Satellite Ltd. Perigee: 655 km (406 mi). Apogee: 38,574 km (23,968 mi). Inclination: 90.00 deg. Period: 695.10 min. COSPAR: 2004-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 28382. Delayed from June, July 20 References: 2. Level: 1.

• FSW-3 No. 2 Payload: FSW-19. Mass: 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Perigee: 168 km (104 mi). Apogee: 547 km (339 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 91.70 min. COSPAR: 2004-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 28402. Duration: 26.67 days. Decay Date: 2004-11-07. Recoverable satellite officially stated to be conducting space scientific research, land surveying, mapping and other scientific experiments. Said to have improved experimental technology, with higher orientation precision and more complex on-board computers and software. Controlled from the Xian Satellite Monitoring and Control Centre. Successfully re-entered and recovered after 27 days in space at 23:55 GMT on 24 September. References: 2. Level: 1.

• SJ-6A Payload: Shi Jian 6B. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: SJ-6. Perigee: 578 km (359 mi). Apogee: 593 km (368 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 96.40 min. COSPAR: 2004-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 28413. It was announced that the two satellites had a design life of at least two years, and would be used to probe the space environment, radiation and its effects, record space physical environment parameters, and conduct other related space experiments. The two satellites were built by the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology and Dongfanghong Satellite Company under subcontract to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The scientific instruments aboard the satellites were mainly manufactured by the China Electronics Technology Corporation. Some Western observors believed the mission of the satellites included electronic intelligence technology tests. References: 2. Level: 1.

• SJ-6B Payload: Shi Jian 6A. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: SJ-6. Perigee: 593 km (368 mi). Apogee: 602 km (374 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 96.60 min. COSPAR: 2004-035B. USAF Sat Cat: 28414. CAST968 platform. Released one minute after SJ-6A. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FSW-3 No. 3 Payload: FSW 20. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 297 km (184 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. COSPAR: 2004-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 28424. Duration: 17.78 days. Decay Date: 2004-11-09. Recoverable military satellite. Returned to Earth at 02:48 GMT on October 15, falling through the roof of a house in the village of Penglai, Sichuan province. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FY-2C Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2004-042A. USAF Sat Cat: 28451. Third Fengyun-2 weather satellite. The apogee motor placed the satellite into a drifting geostationary orbit. As of the date of the launch, four FY-2 satellites had been launched. FY-2 01 was destroyed in a ground fire 1994. FY-2 02 / FY-2A was placed in reserve in May 2000 86 deg E; and FY-2 03 / FY-2B was operational at 123 deg E. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 104.44E drifting at 0.026W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• ZY-2C Class: Earth. Type: Resources. Spacecraft: ZY. Perigee: 479 km (297 mi). Apogee: 504 km (313 mi). Inclination: 97.30 deg. Period: 94.40 min. COSPAR: 2004-044A. USAF Sat Cat: 28470. Zi Yuan 2-3 was a low earth orbit digital imaging spacecraft used by the Chinese government, probably for both civilian and military reconnaissance purposes. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Shiyan Weixing 2 Payload: TANSUO 2. Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Resources. Manufacturer: Dongfanghong Satellite Co. Perigee: 694 km (431 mi). Apogee: 711 km (441 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.80 min. COSPAR: 2004-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 28479. Remote Sensing Technology. References: 2. Level: 1.

• APSTAR 6 Payload: Apstar 5B / Spacebus 4000C2. Mass: 4,680 kg (10,310 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. Agency: APT Satellite. Perigee: 256 km (159 mi). Apogee: 49,629 km (30,837 mi). Inclination: 26.00 deg. Period: 919.40 min. COSPAR: 2005-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 28638. Delayed from November, December 4, 2004. Ku and C band transponders. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 133.99E drifting at 0.013W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• SJ-7 Payload: Shi Jian 7. Spacecraft: SJ. Manufacturer: China Aerospace Corp. Perigee: 555 km (344 mi). Apogee: 573 km (356 mi). Inclination: 97.60 deg. Period: 95.90 min. COSPAR: 2005-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 28737. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 850 km (520 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• FSW-3 No. 4 Payload: FSW-21. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Manufacturer: SAST. Agency: CAST. Perigee: 153 km (95 mi). Apogee: 259 km (160 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 88.60 min. COSPAR: 2005-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 28776. Duration: 27.00 days. Decay Date: 2005-08-29. Military reconnaisance satellite, which maneuvered to raise its apogee on Aug 5 and 7 to a 166 x 552 km x 63.0 orbit; and again to the same altitude on Aug 19 after the apogee decayed to 535 km. Return capsule with film aboard recovered on 29 August. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FSW-3 No. 5 Payload: FSW-22. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: FSW. Manufacturer: SAST. Agency: CAST. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 224 km (139 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 2005-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 28824. Duration: 49.00 days. Decay Date: 2005-10-17. Decayed 17 October 2005. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou 6 Mass: 8,040 kg (17,720 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Perigee: 334 km (207 mi). Apogee: 334 km (207 mi). Inclination: 42.40 deg. COSPAR: 2005-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 28879. Crew: Fei Junlong, Nie Haisheng. Flight: Shenzhou 6. Moved up from October 13. Second Chinese manned space mission. The two-astronaut crew spent 5 days in space, and worked in the Shenzhou orbital module for the first time. Aside from biomedical experiments, the nature of their work was not divulged, and few images of the interior of the orbital module (with its probable military experiments) were released. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Shenzhou 6 lands Spacecraft: Shenzhou. Flight: Shenzhou 6. Shenzhou 6 soft landed within sight of the recovery forces at 04:32:50 local time. Level: 1.

• Landing of Shenzhou 6 Program: ISS. Flight: Shenzhou 6. Level: 1.

• Beijing-1 Payload: Tsinghua 2, China-DMC+4, Modified MicroSat-100. Mass: 140 kg (300 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Civilian. Spacecraft: MicroSat-100. Manufacturer: Surrey. Perigee: 682 km (423 mi). Apogee: 705 km (438 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.60 min. COSPAR: 2005-043A. USAF Sat Cat: 28890. Beijing-1 carried a 31-cm focal-length cartographic telescope with a resolution of 4 meters. It was to be part of the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation. Operated by Tsinghua University for Beijing Landview Mapping Information Technology Ltd. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Agency: PRC. Apogee: 850 km (520 mi). References: 2. Level: 2.

• Yaogan 1 Mass: 2,700 kg (5,900 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military Radarsat. Spacecraft: Yaogan. Manufacturer: CASC?. Agency: CNSA?. Perigee: 627 km (389 mi). Apogee: 630 km (390 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 97.30 min. COSPAR: 2006-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 29092. Remote sensing satellite built by the Shanghai SAST Group. In reality it was the first Chinese synthetic aperture radar military surveillance satellite. References: 2. Level: 1.

• DF-31 test Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. Level: 1.

• SJ-8 Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: FSW. Manufacturer: SAST. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min. COSPAR: 2006-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 29385. Duration: 14.82 days. Long delayed Seed Satellite, an experiment in which a large payload of seeds were exposed to te space environment for two weeks. The modified FSW optical reconnaisance satellite capsule was recovered in Sichuan at 02:43 GMT on September 24. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Zhongxing 22A Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FH-1. Manufacturer: CAST. Agency: CTBSC. Perigee: 35,757 km (22,218 mi). Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,000.00 min. COSPAR: 2006-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 29398. Military communications satellite, launched to replace Zhongxing 22 in geosynchronous orbit at 98.0 E. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 98.10E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• SJ-6-2A SJ-6C Class: SIGINT. Spacecraft: SJ-6. COSPAR: 2006-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 29505. Replaced the SJ-6 Group 1 satellites A and B. Official purpose was to measure the space environment, but foreign analysts suspected a SIGINT role. References: 2. Level: 1.

• SJ-6-2B SJ-6D Class: SIGINT. Spacecraft: SJ-6. COSPAR: 2006-046B. USAF Sat Cat: 29506. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Xinnuo 2 Payload: Sinosat-2. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Perigee: 35,675 km (22,167 mi). Apogee: 35,911 km (22,314 mi). Inclination: 0.0600 deg. Period: 1,436.44 min. COSPAR: 2006-048A. USAF Sat Cat: 29516. First DH-4 heavy Chinese communication satellite with communications equipment provided by Alcatel Alenia. Mission failed when solar panels and antennae failed to deploy in geosynchronous orbit. This was a blow to China's prestige, since the satellite was an important part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics coverage plans. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 91.80E drifting at 0.093W degrees per day. References: 2. Level: 1.

• FY 2D Payload: Fengyun 2D. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 2.60 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 2006-053B. USAF Sat Cat: 29641. Fourth Wind and Cloud 2 geostationary weather satellite with an infrared radiometer as its primary instrument. The booster placed the spacecraft in a 226 x 36221 km x 24.9 deg geosynchronous transfer orbit. The FG-36 solid apogee motor aboard the satellite burned at 18:07 GMT and placed the FY-2D into an initial 35786 x 36478 km x 2.6 deg geosynchronous drift orbit. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Chinese ASAT destroys FY-1C target satellite. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 850 km (520 mi). The FY-1C satellite, launched on 10 May 1999, was presumably well past the end of its operational life. It was destroyed in a test of a Chinese ASAT weapon at an altitude of 850 km, 4 degrees west of Xichang. Launch vehicle was unknown, but a version of the DF-21 IRBM would be sufficient to reach that altitude. Reportedly the flight had been preceded by one to three earlier tests that were either failures or just aimed at a point in space. The program was apparently very secret, and the Chinese foreign ministry was caught by surprise by the test and the storm of international condemnation that followed. The FY-1C was blown into over 200 pieces of debris, adding immediately by 10% to the population of space junk that threatens lower-altitude satellites. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Beidou 2A Payload: Beiduou 1D. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Perigee: 35,326 km (21,950 mi). Apogee: 36,248 km (22,523 mi). Inclination: 6.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2007-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 30323. Fourth Beidou satellite. It did not reach geostationary orbit until early April following deployment problems with its solar panels and reports of US detection of a debris cloud at the time of the original expected apogee firing. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Haiyang 1B Class: Surveillance. Type: Ocean. Spacecraft: HY-1. Manufacturer: AS-DFH-Sat Ltd. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 782 km (485 mi). Apogee: 815 km (506 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. Period: 100.80 min. COSPAR: 2007-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 31113. Oceanographic satellite equipped with a 10-band ocean color scanner, a 4-band CCD imager with 250-meter resolution, and an infrared water profile radiometer. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Beidou 5 Payload: Beidou M1. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Manufacturer: CAST. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 21,519 km (13,371 mi). Apogee: 21,544 km (13,386 mi). Inclination: 55.30 deg. Period: 773.40 min. COSPAR: 2007-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 31115. The fifth Beidou satellite, but the first in the 12-hour, 55 deg inclination MEO portion of the constellation. All previous launches had been to populate the geostationary portion of the system. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Yaogan 2 Mass: 2,700 kg (5,900 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military Radarsat. Spacecraft: Yaogan. Manufacturer: CAST. Agency: CNSA. Perigee: 631 km (392 mi). Apogee: 655 km (406 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 97.60 min. COSPAR: 2007-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 31490. Second Chinese synthetic aperture radar military surveillance satellite. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Zheda Pixing 1 Mass: 2.00 kg (4.40 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: SIMIT. Agency: Zhejiang University. COSPAR: 2007-019x. Experimental microelectronics research picosatellite. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Sinosat 3 Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Manufacturer: CAST. Agency: SinoSatCom. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2007-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 31577. Chinese C-band domestic communications satellite, launched as part of a campaign to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, and to compensate for failure of the first DFH-4 satellite. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Chinasat 6B Payload: Spacebus 4000C2. Mass: 4,600 kg (10,100 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. Manufacturer: Thales Alenia Space. Agency: ChinaSatCom. Perigee: 233 km (144 mi). Apogee: 49,722 km (30,895 mi). Inclination: 24.20 deg. Period: 920.90 min. COSPAR: 2007-031A. USAF Sat Cat: 31800. Direct broadcast satellite, capable of transmitting 300 television channels using 38 transponders. To be positioned at 115.5 deg E, beaming signals to China, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Planned mission life 15 years. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Chang'e-1 Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Chang'e. Perigee: 147 km (91 mi). Apogee: 50,182 km (31,181 mi). Inclination: 30.80 deg. Period: 929.20 min. COSPAR: 2007-051B. USAF Sat Cat: 32273. China's first unmanned lunar/planetary probe. The initial orbit of 221 x 50,602 km x 31.0 deg was raised to a translunar trajectory by 31 October in a serious of spacecraft engine burns. The spacecraft entered a 210 km x 8600 km lunar orbit at 03:37 GMT on 5 November. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Yaogan 3 Mass: 2,700 kg (5,900 lb). Class: Radarsat. Type: Surveillance. Spacecraft: Yaogan. Perigee: 628 km (390 mi). Apogee: 629 km (390 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 97.30 min. COSPAR: 2007-055A. USAF Sat Cat: 32289. The military launch used a new version of the CZ-4 booster. The CZ-4C includes a restart capability in the upper stage and a new interstage adapter between the first and second stages. References: 2. Level: 1.

• Tian Lian 1 Payload: DFH 76. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Perigee: 35,768 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,806 km (22,248 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2008-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 32779. China's first in a series of new data relay satellites, and the first launch of the CZ-3C, a variant of the Long March with two liquid strap-ons. The satellite will relay data from Chinese manned and military satellites, beginning with the Shenzhou mission, from geostationary orbit at 77 deg E. Configuration unknown, but possibly based on the DFH-4 platform. Level: 1.

• FY-3A Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-3. Perigee: 826 km (513 mi). Apogee: 828 km (514 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. Period: 101.40 min. COSPAR: 2008-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 32958. Polar orbiting weather satellite. The FY-3 series will replace the older FY-1 polar system. Level: 1.