Uses and functions of meteorological satellites (self-report)

Brief introduction of artificial satellite

Satellites refer to all celestial bodies orbiting planets in the universe. It is called the satellite of any planet that orbits it. For example, the moon goes around the earth. It is a satellite of the earth.

"Sputnik" is our human "Sputnik". Scientists use rockets to launch them into a predetermined orbit and make them orbit the earth or other planets for exploration or scientific research. We call satellites orbiting a planet satellites of that planet, such as artificial earth satellites, which are most commonly used for observation and communication.

The earth has a gravitational effect on the surrounding objects, so the thrown objects will fall back to the ground. However, the greater the initial velocity, the farther the object will fly. When Newton thought about the law of universal gravitation, he imagined throwing objects from high mountains at different horizontal speeds, each time the speed was higher, and each time the landing point was farther from the foot of the mountain. If there is no air resistance, when the speed is high enough, the object will never land. It will revolve around the earth and become an artificial earth satellite orbiting the earth.

Man-made satellite is the spacecraft with the largest number of launches, the widest use and the fastest development. 1957101On October 4th, the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite. Later, the United States, France and Japan also launched artificial satellites one after another. China launched the satellite Dongfanghong 1 on April 24th, 970. By the end of 1992, China has successfully launched 33 different types of satellites.

Satellites generally consist of dedicated systems and support systems. Dedicated system refers to the system directly related to the mission performed by the satellite, also known as payload. According to the various uses of satellites, special systems using satellites include: communication transponders, remote sensors, navigation equipment, etc. The special system of scientific satellite is various instruments such as space physical exploration and astronomical exploration. The special system for technical test satellite is the test equipment for various new principles, technologies, schemes, instruments and equipment and new materials. Support system refers to the system that ensures the normal work of satellites and special systems in space, also known as service system. It mainly includes structural system, power supply system, thermal control system, attitude control and orbit control system, radio measurement and control system, etc. For recoverable satellites, there is also a return landing system.

The orbit of artificial satellite depends on the mission requirements of satellite, which can be divided into low orbit, medium-high orbit, geosynchronous orbit, geostationary orbit, sun-synchronous orbit, elliptical orbit and polar orbit. Satellites fly around the earth at high speed. Low-orbit and medium-orbit satellites can fly around the earth several times to a dozen times a day, which is not limited by geographical, airspace and geographical conditions and has a wide field of vision. It can quickly exchange information with the ground, including the forwarding of ground information, and can also obtain a large number of remote sensing information of the earth. The remote sensing area of an Earth resources satellite image can reach tens of thousands of square kilometers.

When the orbit height of the satellite reaches 35,800 kilometers and it flies in the same direction as the earth's rotation over the equator, the period of the satellite's rotation around the earth is exactly the same as that of the earth's rotation, and its relative position remains unchanged. This satellite looks like it is still hanging in the sky on the earth, and it is called the geostationary orbit satellite, which can realize the uninterrupted information exchange between the satellite and the ground station and greatly simplify the equipment of the ground station. At present, the vast majority of TV relay and forwarding communication through satellites are composed of static communication satellites.

Sputnik is a prosperous family. According to the purpose, it can be divided into three categories: scientific satellites, technical experimental satellites and applied satellites.

① Scientific satellites are used for scientific exploration and research, mainly including space physics exploration satellites and astronomical satellites. They are used to study the upper atmosphere, the earth's radiation belt, the earth's magnetosphere, cosmic rays, solar radiation and so on. And can observe other stars.

(2) Technical test satellites refer to satellites that conduct new technology tests or tests for satellite applications. There are many new principles, materials and instruments in space technology. Whether it can be used or not must pass the test of heaven. The performance of a new satellite can only be applied after it is actually "exercised" by being launched into the sky and successfully tested; Before people go to heaven, they must carry out animal experiments ... these are the tasks of technical test satellites.

(3) Application satellites are satellites that directly serve human beings, with the largest variety and quantity, including: communication satellites, meteorological satellites, reconnaissance satellites, navigation satellites, geodesic satellites, earth resources satellites, interception satellites, etc.

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Satellites usually have three kinds of orbits (except near-earth orbit): geosynchronous orbit, sun-synchronous orbit and polar orbit.

(1) Geosynchronous orbit is a anterograde orbit with the same period as the earth's rotation. But there is a very special orbit called geostationary orbit. The inclination of the orbit is zero, and it is located at 35786 kilometers above the equator of the earth. From the point of view of people on the ground, the satellite running in this orbit is stationary. It is more favorable for general communication satellites, broadcasting satellites and meteorological satellites to choose this orbit. There are countless geosynchronous orbits, while there is only one geostationary orbit.

(2) Sun-synchronous orbit is an orbit in which the rotation direction of the orbit plane around the earth's rotation axis is the same as that of the earth's revolution, and the rotation angular velocity is equal to the average angular velocity of the earth's revolution (360 degrees/year), and its height from the earth is no more than 6,000 kilometers. When the satellites in this orbit pass through the same latitude and direction, the local time is the same. Meteorological satellites and earth resources satellites generally use this orbit.

The polar orbit is an orbit with an inclination of 90 degrees. Satellites in this orbit pass over the poles of the earth every time, overlooking the whole surface of the earth. Meteorological satellites, earth resources satellites and reconnaissance satellites often use this orbit.

Satellite engineering system

General systems include structure, temperature control, attitude control, energy, tracking, telemetry, remote control, communication, orbit control, antenna and other systems, recoverable satellites and recovery systems, in addition to various special systems designed according to the needs of tasks. Satellites can successfully perform the scheduled tasks. It is not enough to rely solely on satellites, but also a complete satellite engineering system, which generally consists of the following systems:

1. Launch site system

2. Launch vehicle system

3. Satellite system

4. Measurement and control system

5. Satellite application system

6. Recovery area system (recoverable satellites only)

[Edit this paragraph] Components of the satellite system

In the satellite system, various devices are divided into two parts according to different functions: payload and satellite platform. The satellite platform is divided into several subsystems:

Payload (different types of satellites are different, * * * is the same:)

1, ground camera

2. Stellar camera

3. Payload on board

Satellite platform (providing environment and technical conditions for payload operation, including:)

1, service system

2. Thermal control subsystem

3. Attitude and orbit control subsystem

4. Program control subsystem

5. Telemetry subsystem

6. Remote control subsystem

7. Tracking and testing subsystem

8. Power supply and distribution subsystem

9. Return subsystem (recoverable satellite only)

The launch of the world's first satellite

The successful launch of the first man-made earth satellite in the Soviet Union opened the prelude for mankind to March into space, which greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of all countries in the world to develop and launch satellites.

The United States successfully launched the first Explorer-1 artificial satellite on1October 3 1. The star weighs 8.22kg, has a cylindrical cone top, is 203.2cm high, and has a diameter of 15.2cm. It orbits the earth in an elliptical orbit, with a perigee of 360.4km, an apogee of 253 1km, an inclination of 33.34 "and an operating period of114.

France successfully launched its first "experimental satellite"-1(a-l) on 19651October 26th. The satellite weighs about 42kg, and its operating period is 108.6 1min. It runs in an elliptical orbit with a perigee of 526.24km and an apogee of 1808.85km, with an orbital inclination of 34. 24"。 The launch vehicle for launching A/KOOC-0/satellite is a "Diamond, tA three-stage rocket", with a total length of/KOOC-0/8.7m, a diameter of/KOOC-0/.4m and a takeoff weight of about/KOOC-0/8t.

Japan successfully launched its first artificial satellite "Daewoo" on February 1970+0 1. The satellite weighs about 9.4 kilograms, with an orbital inclination of 3 1.07 ",a perigee of 339 kilometers, an apogee of 5 138 kilometers, and an operating period of 144.2 minutes. The launch vehicle for launching Dayu satellite is Landa -45 four-stage solid rocket, with a total length of16.5m, a diameter of 0.74m and a takeoff weight of 9.4t.. The first stage consists of a main engine and two boosters with thrust of 37 tons and 26 tons respectively; Second stage thrust 1 1.8 tons; The third and fourth thrust are 6.5 tons and 1 ton respectively.

China successfully launched the first artificial satellite "Dongfanghong" 1 on April 24th, 970. The star has a diameter of about 1 m and a weight of 173 kg. It orbits the earth along an elliptical orbit, with perigee of 439 kilometers, apogee of 2384 kilometers, orbital inclination of 68,5 ",and operation period of 1 14 minutes. The long-range rocket for launching Dongfanghong satellite/KOOC-0/is a Long March/KOOC-0/three-stage launch vehicle with a total length of 2,945 meters, a diameter of 2.25 meters, a takeoff weight of 8/KOOC-0/.6 tons and a launch thrust of/KOOC-0//KOOC-0/2 tons.

Britain: Britain successfully launched its first artificial satellite "Prospero" on 197 10/October 28th. The launch site is Woomera Rocket Launch Site in Australia. The launch vehicle is the British Black Arrow launch vehicle, with a perigee of 537 km and an apogee of 1593 km. The satellite weighs 66 kilograms (145 pounds), and its main task is to test various new technological inventions, such as a new telemetry system and solar cells. It also carries a meteor detector to measure the density of this cosmic dust high-speed particle in the upper atmosphere of the earth.

In addition to the above countries, Canada, Italy, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, India and Indonesia are also preparing to launch satellites by themselves or have commissioned other countries to launch satellites.

First man-made earth satellite

19571On October 4th, the Soviet Union launched its first artificial earth satellite. This event is of epoch-making significance, which declares that mankind has entered the space age.

The first artificial earth satellite was spherical, with a diameter of 58 cm and a weight of 83.6 kg. It flies in an elliptical orbit, circling the earth once every 96 minutes. There is a radio transmitter in the artificial earth satellite, which constantly sends out "drip-drip-drip" signals to the earth. Some people are around the radio. Listen to the first sound from space. Others look up at the sky and try to search the bright track of artificial earth satellites at night with the naked eye. However, at that time, few people knew that artificial earth was the predecessor of manned spacecraft, and scientists were stepping up preparations for manned space flight. A month later, on1October 3, 1957, 165438, the Soviet Union launched its second artificial earth satellite, which increased its weight by more than five times, reaching 508kg. This satellite is conical. In order to save space on the satellite and add a sealed biological chamber, many measuring instruments have to be put on the last rocket. In the cylindrical hut, there lies a little dog named "Lekaj". Medical instruments for measuring pulse, respiration and blood pressure are connected to the puppy, and these data are reported to the ground by radio at any time. In order to keep the air in the cabin fresh, an air regeneration device and a excretory device for treating feces are also installed. Keep a certain temperature and humidity in the cabin to make the puppy feel comfortable. In addition, there is a set of self-feeding device, which lights the signal lamp three times a day regularly to inform Lai Yika to eat. Unfortunately, due to the limitation of the technical level at that time, the satellite could not be recovered. The experimental dog lived in the satellite biological cabin for a week. After completing all the experimental tasks, he had to commit suicide by taking poison and became the first victim in space flight.

The use of artificial satellites

1. How to determine the purpose of artificial satellite?

The composition of artificial satellite can be basically divided into two parts: satellite body and payload. Payload is an instrument used by satellites to do experiments or services, and satellites themselves are vehicles to maintain the operation of payloads. The use of a satellite depends on the payload it carries.

2. What kinds of satellites are there? what is the purpose?

The advantage of artificial satellite is that it can process a large amount of data at the same time and transmit it to any corner of the world. Using three satellites can cover all parts of the world. According to the purpose of use, artificial satellites can be roughly divided into the following categories:

Scientific satellites: Satellites sent into space orbit for atmospheric physics, astrophysics and geophysics experiments or tests, such as China Satellite-1 and Hubble.

Communication satellite: A satellite used as a telecommunication relay station, such as Yahweh I..

Military satellite: A satellite used for military photography and reconnaissance.

Meteorological satellite: A satellite that photographs clouds and related meteorological data.

Resource satellite: a satellite that takes images of the earth's surface or depth for the exploration of earth resources.

Interstellar satellite: a satellite that can sail to other planets for exploration and photography. It is generally called a "planetary probe", such as Pioneer, Mars and Pathfinder.

The world's first artificial satellite

1957 65438+1October 4th. The Soviet Union announced that it had successfully put the world's first artificial satellite into orbit around the earth. American officials claimed that they were not only shocked by the Soviet Union's first successful satellite launch, but also surprised by its scale. The satellite weighs 83 kilograms, which is eight times heavier than the satellite to be launched by the United States in the second year.

The Soviet Union announced that the diameter of the sphere of this satellite is 55 cm, and it takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to orbit the earth once, with a maximum height of 900 kilometers from the ground. Two channels are used for continuous signal transmission. Because the orbit makes an angle of 65 degrees with the equator, it can pass over Moscow twice a day. The Soviet Union did not give a detailed report on the rocket that launched the satellite, but mentioned that it left the ground at a speed of 8 kilometers per second. They said the launch opened the way for interstellar travel.

Resource satellite. . .

China's first artificial satellite was born.

More than 30 years have passed. Today, China has dozens of satellites roaming in space, the Shenzhou experimental spacecraft has returned to Earth, and China has taken a step towards manned space flight. Looking back on the history of China's space flight, we can't help but mention its beginning. Dongfanghong-1, a sophisticated technology, was successful in one fell swoop in a period of poor foundation and turbulence. The birth of "Dongfanghong-1" satellite has always been a mystery.

? 1970 On April 24th, China successfully launched its first artificial satellite. The perigee altitude of the satellite orbit is 436KM, and the apogee altitude is 2384km. The included angle between the orbit plane and the equatorial plane of the earth is 68.5, and it takes 1 14 minutes to circle the earth. Satellite quality 173kg, playing music "Dongfanghong" with frequency of 20.009MHz.

Scientists who revered the former Soviet Union were deeply moved. Mr. Zhao Jiuzhang, director of the Geophysical Research Institute, which actively advocates the establishment of artificial satellites, said: "Depend on the sky, depend on the ground, and be unreliable! The development of space science mainly depends on our own strength.

Although the former Soviet Union did not achieve the purpose of investigating the development of satellites, the advanced industry and technology of the Soviet Union opened the eyes of scientists in China. Comparing the situation of the Soviet Union and China, they realized that launching artificial satellites is a big project with complex technology and strong comprehensiveness, which needs a high level of science and technology and a strong industrial base as the backing. In the summary, the delegation wrote that the conditions for launching artificial earth satellites in China are not yet available, and we should start with rocket sounding according to the actual situation. At the same time, we should base ourselves on the domestic market and take the road of self-reliance.

1959 65438+1October 2 1 day, Zhang Jinfu, who presided over and led the satellite development, conveyed to the Academy of Sciences Deng Xiaoping's instruction that "there will be no satellites next year, which is not commensurate with national strength". "The satellite will still be built, but it will be delayed a little." According to the central policy, Zhang Jinfu proposed "under the soup". Due to the country's economic difficulties, he suspended satellite development and concentrated on sounding rockets first.

"65 1" task

China has made a breakthrough in the development of sounding rockets because of shortening the front line. 1960 in February, China experimental liquid sounding rocket was successfully launched for the first time. Since then, sounding rockets for different purposes have been launched one after another, including meteorological rockets and biological rockets. 1In June, 964, the first short-range rocket designed by China was successfully launched. On June+10, 5438, China's first atomic bomb exploded successfully. At this time, China has made individual pre-research achievements in satellite energy, satellite temperature control, satellite structure and satellite test equipment. At this time, scientists in China think that sending satellites can be put on the agenda.

1964 During the Third National People's Congress in February, Zhao Jiuzhang, who actively advocated the construction of satellites in China, wrote to Premier Zhou Enlai and suggested developing satellites. At the same time, Qian Xuesen, a famous scientist, also wrote to the Central Committee, suggesting to speed up the development of artificial satellites.

1965 In May, Premier Zhou Enlai instructed the Academy of Sciences to come up with a concrete plan for the first artificial satellite. Qian Ji, who is in charge of the overall satellite group, led the young scientific and technological workers to come up with a preliminary plan soon, which was summarized into three charts and one table: satellite outline chart, structural layout chart, satellite trajectory chart and main technical parameters and subsystem composition table drawn by red and blue pencils.

The plan was delivered to the Academy of Sciences and the National Defense Science and Technology Commission Building at No.3 Jinwen Street, and reported in detail to the leaders of the Academy of Sciences such as Zhang Jinfu and the leaders of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission such as Luo Shunchu, and Qian Ji and others reported directly to Premier Zhou Enlai. When Premier Zhou learned his surname Qian, he said humorously: Our chief satellite designer is also money, and our cutting-edge atoms, missiles and satellites are inseparable from "money"!

1In August, 965, Premier Zhou presided over a meeting of the Central Special Committee, and adopted in principle the Proposal of China Academy of Sciences on Developing China's Satellite Work Plan, and determined that the development of satellites was a major task in developing cutting-edge technologies. It is determined that the whole satellite project is organized and coordinated by the commission of science, technology and industry for national defense, the satellite body and ground detection system are in charge of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the launch vehicle is built by the Seventh Machinery Department, and the satellite launch site is in charge of the test base of the commission of science, technology and industry for national defense. Because it was formally put forward in 1 month, the state named the artificial earth satellite project "65 1" mission. People, money and things all over the country have given the green light when they met "65 1", which made China satellite enter the engineering development stage from the overall planning stage.

1On April 24th, 970, the Long March-1 carrier rocket successfully sent China's first artificial satellite, Dongfanghong-1, into space, which weighed more than the Soviet Union and the United States.

1965, 1 1 year1October 20th to1October 30th. Entrusted by the National Defense Science and Technology Commission, the Chinese Academy of Sciences held a 42-day demonstration meeting on the overall scheme of China's first artificial satellite. At the meeting, Qian Ji reported the overall plan of China's first artificial satellite. Military and civilian participants, including more than 20 experts from sea, land and air/KLOC-0, repeatedly demonstrated the purpose and task of launching artificial satellites.

The conference code-named "65 1" confirmed that China's first artificial satellite is an experimental satellite for scientific exploration, and its task is to obtain basic experience and design data for the development of China's application satellites such as Earth observation, communication broadcasting and meteorology. The launch time is set at1970; The sign of success is "go up, pay attention, hear and see."

One of the topics discussed at the meeting was how to determine the weight of China's first satellite. This problem involves the level of missile weapons. Because the vehicles for launching satellites in the early days were all developed on the basis of missiles, launching satellites is essentially to show a country's military strength. Although China's satellite project started late, experts agree that the starting point of China should be higher, and the first satellite should be more advanced in weight and technology than the first satellite of the United States and the Soviet Union. The first Soviet satellite weighed 83.6 kilograms, while the first American satellite weighed only 8.2 kilograms. The meeting finally determined that China's first satellite was about 100 kg (actually, it was 173 kg when it finally went to heaven).

The aluminum piano played Dongfanghong.

People who marched in the streets 30 years ago may have forgotten the celebration scene at that time, but the melodious music of "Dongfanghong" launched by satellite from space has long been left in people's memory. When it comes to the naming of "Dongfanghong No.1" and the birth of music, we can't help but mention He, an unknown paver of China's space industry.

The call signal of the first artificial satellite in the Soviet Union was a ticking telegraph code, and the telemetry signal was intermittent. What should China's satellite signal look like? He believes that China should surpass the Soviet Union and send a sustained signal, with China characteristics and global recognition. At that time, china national radio's call sign was "Dongfanghong" music. In a sense, "Dongfanghong" became a symbol of "Red China". Out of reverence for Mao Zedong, He Huazheng also proposed to name this satellite "Dongfanghong-1". These suggestions were recognized by experts at the "65 1" meeting. 1966 In May, with the consent of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of China Academy of Sciences, Luo Shunchu, Pei, Qian Xuesen and others, China's first artificial satellite was named "Dongfanghong-1". At the beginning of 1967, it was officially confirmed that China's first artificial satellite would play the music of Dongfanghong, so that people all over the world could hear the sound of China satellite.

Because it was in the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, playing the music of Dongfanghong was not only a scientific research task, but also a political task with great responsibility. If the satellite is tuned or does not ring in the morning, it is undoubtedly a major political issue according to the "online" statement, and the developer may be thrown into eighteen layers of hell. Under the heavy ideological burden and mental pressure, Liu Chengxi, the main designer of Hehe musical instrument, took political risks and began their technical exploration, which solved a series of problems such as disorder of music score and tone sandhi. The music of Dongfanghong is finally played by electronic music, and the sound of aluminum piano is simulated by circuit. 1968 in the first half of the year, a factory in Chongqing produced the first batch of original musical instruments. Because the production order at that time was extremely abnormal, many parts in the product appeared virtual welding phenomenon. Finally, the products of Paradise were re-produced by Shanghai Scientific Instrument Factory.

An oasis in the Red Sea.

Most of the whole development work of China's first artificial satellite project was carried out in the most turbulent era of the Cultural Revolution. At that time, the "red storm" that swept across the country hit hard every unit that undertook the task of satellite engineering. At the beginning of 1967, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Seventh Machinery Department and their subordinate units were sealed up by mass organizations, and the former leaders of the Satellite Design Institute stood aside, and many scientists were criticized as "reactionary academic authorities", "spies" and "ghosts". Even ordinary scientific and technological personnel, many relatives and social relations have been impacted and implicated in the movement. The development of satellites clashed with the "revolution".

At that time, the "revolution" required everyone to hold "precious books", read quotations and be sincere and loyal. Satellite development can only be done after participating in the "revolution", otherwise it will be labeled as "not highlighting politics". When scientists are criticized, the backbone of science and technology business will also participate in the "struggle". With the continuous war, the traffic is blocked, the equipment supply is not up, and the satellite development career is in danger of premature death.

In this case, the Prime Minister and Vice Premier Nie took a series of measures at the beginning of 1967, announcing the establishment of the China Academy of Space Technology with Qian Xuesen as its president, which was incorporated into the military sequence and did not engage in the "Big Four" of the "Cultural Revolution" (that is, speaking out, airing views, big-character posters and debating). The Institute of Space Technology deployed elite troops from many units, concentrated the research forces scattered in various departments, and implemented unified leadership, so that scientific research and production could proceed as usual, and China's first satellite was launched as scheduled.

At the beginning of the establishment of the Institute of Space Technology, the material conditions needed to develop satellites were very scarce, such as few test equipment, uneven test equipment and insufficient processing equipment. Satellite factory is transformed from scientific instrument factory, which faces many difficulties in personnel, technology, equipment and management. Riveting is an essential process in satellite manufacturing. But the satellite factory was not dry at that time. In the initial sample and test stage of the satellite, there was no riveting gun and no truss to fix the workpiece. Workers rely on a small hammer and use their bodies as trusses to knock down rivets one by one. It is under such conditions that the satellite factory has solved many technical problems such as riveting, anodic electrolytic polishing, large-area gold plating of bright aluminum parts and heat treatment of aluminum parts.

In order to verify the correctness and rationality of the design, the "Dongfanghong-1" satellite has to carry out various environmental simulation tests on the ground, from components and materials to single-machine subsystems and even the whole satellite. The scheduled satellite launch time at the launch site is cold, and the satellite factory has no test site that meets the requirements. The experiment of "thermal control sample star" was carried out in the summer of 1968 in a cold storage in the naval logistics department. Many difficulties are solved by the simplicity of scientific and technological personnel, by indigenous methods and by everyone's joint efforts. A few days after the satellite was launched, many international friends came to the Institute of Space Technology to visit the satellite. The environmental conditions at that time made visitors greatly sigh: the birth of "Dongfanghong No.1" was a miracle!

Unforgettable 4.24

On April 1970, a special train carrying two Dongfanghong-1 satellites and a Long March-1 carrier rocket arrived at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwest of China.

In April, in the Gobi desert in the northwest, you should wear cotton-padded clothes during the day, and at night, you will feel cold when you are wrapped in a fur coat. On the working platform of Long Menta, which is more than 30 meters above the ground, the scientific and technical personnel troubleshoot around the clock and test again and again.

1970 at 3: 50 on April 24th, Premier Zhou Enlai telephoned Luo Shunchu, deputy director of the Science and Technology Commission for National Defense, and said that President Mao Zedong had approved the launch. I hope everyone will work hard, do the work carefully, achieve a success and win glory for the motherland.

At 2 1 35, the satellite launch time finally arrived. Dongfanghong-1 left the launch pad with the roar of the engine and the Long March-1 carrier rocket. At 2 1 48, the star and arrow separated and the satellite entered the scheduled orbit. At 2 1: 50, the National Broadcasting Bureau reported that it had received the music "Dongfanghong" played by China's first satellite, with a clear and loud voice.

1April 25, 970, at 18, Xinhua News Agency authorized the world to announce that1April 24, 970, China successfully launched its first artificial satellite, with a perigee altitude of 439 km, an apogee altitude of 2384 km, and an included angle of 68.5 degrees between the orbital plane and the equatorial plane of the earth. The satellite weighs 173 kg and plays the music of Dongfanghong regularly at a frequency of 20.009 megacycles.

As soon as the press release came out, in an instant, the capital Beijing was brightly lit, gongs and drums were loud and firecrackers were ringing. People poured into the streets with the special enthusiasm of the Cultural Revolution, shouting "Long live Chairman Mao", "Celebrate the great victory of the Cultural Revolution" and "Long live the victory of the proletarian cultural revolution"! ……

However, Mr. Zhao Jiuzhang, who devoted all his efforts to China's first artificial satellite, failed to wait until this moment. He died a year and a half ago after being falsely accused and persecuted. Many scientists heard the music of Dongfanghong in the "bullpen".

After the launch of "Dongfanghong-1" satellite, the actual working hours of various instruments on the satellite far exceeded the design requirements. "Dongfanghong" music device and short-wave transmitter worked continuously for 28 days, and obtained a large number of engineering telemetry parameters, which provided valuable basis and experience for satellite design and development in the later period.

The successful launch of "Dongfanghong-1" has laid a solid foundation for the development of China's space technology, promoted the rise of China's space industry, kept China's space technology in sync with the world's space technology frontier, and marked China's entry into the space age.