Dong Feng 1 (DF-1) at Beijing Military Museum by martin.trolle

The satellite is the Dong Fang Hong I. Dong Fang Hong I (simplified Chinese: 东方红一号; traditional Chinese: 東方紅一號; pinyin: Dōng Fāng Hóng Yīhào), also known as China 1, was the People's Republic of China's first satellite, launched successfully on April 24, 1970 as part of the PRC's Dong Fang Hong space satellite program. At 173 kg (381 lb), it was heavier than the first satellites of other countries. The satellite carried a radio transmitter. It broadcast the song of the same name, Dōng Fāng Hóng or The East Is Red, which lasted for 26 days while in orbit. Dong Fang Hong I is was developed under the direction of Qian Xuesen (Tsien Hsue-shen), dean at the Chinese Academy of Space Technology. At the time, a total of five identical satellites were created. The first satellite launched successfully. The academy formulated a "Three Satellite Plan" consisting of Dong Fang Hong I, re-entry satellites, and geosynchronous orbit communications satellites. Sun Jia-Dong was responsible for the Dong Fang Hong I technology. In 1967 Dang Hongxin chose a copper antenna membrane that resolved the difficulties of broadcasting on an ultra-short wave antenna between 100°C and −100°C. Engineers installed a music player playing "The East is Red" on the satellite. While Dong Fang Hong I was transported to the launch site by train, armed guards were placed between every two electricity poles. On April 24, 1970 at 9:35 pm a Long March I rocket (CZ-1) lifted off from the China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center placing the Dong Fang Hong I satellite in orbit at 9:48 pm.