Long March 1

The first member of China’s now-extensive family of Long March rockets was the Long March 1.

China began development of the Long March 1 (CZ-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 rocket used a propellant mix of highly toxic unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and red fuming nitric acid. The CZ-1’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.

The development of the solid rocket upper stage was a significant new technology for China in the late 1960’s. The third stage motor for the CZ-1 had a diameter of 770 mm, a length of 4 m, and 1.8 metric tons of propellant far beyond any previous solid motor in China. There was additionally the requirement for reliable high-altitude ignition while spinning at high speed. From May 1969 to January 1970, four full thrust tests of the solid engine under different conditions and one flight test of the two-stage modification of the DF-3 were carried out successfully.

Long March 1’s second flight launched China’s first satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 to space on 24 April 1970 making China the fifth country to launch its own satellite. The date now marks China’s annual Space Day.

It was retired in March 1971 after its second launch, successfully launching the SJ-1 scientific satellite.