The space program of the People's Republic of China is about the activities in outer space conducted and directed by the People's Republic of China. The roots of the Chinese space program trace back to the 1950s, when, with the help of the newly allied Soviet Union, China began development of its first ballistic missile and rocket programs in response to the perceived American threats. Driven by the successes of Soviet Sputnik 1 and American Explorer 1 satellite launches in 1957 and 1958 respectively, China would launch its first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1 in April 1970 aboard a Long March 1 rocket, making it the fifth nation to place a satellite in orbit.
Qian Xuesen, the forefather of Chinese space program
Mao Zedong inspecting a T-7M rocket after its successful launch
Dongfeng-2 missile
Dong Fang Hong I - Chinese first satellite (1970)
Long March (rocket family)
The Long March rockets are a family of expendable launch system rockets operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The rockets are named after the Chinese Red Army's 1934–35 Long March military retreat during the Chinese Civil War.
Long March 1
Long March 1 engine
Long March 2F is the only human-rated launch vehicle of the Long March family.
Three engines using three different combination of propellants. From left to right: YF-20 using N2O4 and UDMH, YF-100 using LOX and kerosene, YF-77 using LOX and LH2
