# Long March 1

> first member of China's Long March rocket family

**Wikidata**: [Q53698](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53698)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/long-march-1

## Summary  
The Long March 1 (CZ-1) was the first rocket in China's Long March family, marking a pivotal milestone in the nation's space program. It successfully launched China's first satellite, Dong Fang Hong I, into orbit on its maiden flight in 1970. As a prototype orbital launch vehicle, it laid the foundation for subsequent Long March rockets, which became central to China's space exploration efforts.  

## Key Facts  
- **First flight**: January 10, 1970 (carrying the Dong Fang Hong I satellite).  
- **Retirement**: March 3, 1971, after two launches.  
- **Manufacturer**: Moscow Aviation Institute (with Chinese collaboration).  
- **Operator**: China National Space Administration (CNSA).  
- **Based on**: Technology from the Dongfeng ballistic missile program.  
- **Notable payloads**: Shijian-1 (second launch) and Dong Fang Hong I (first launch).  
- **Country of origin**: People's Republic of China.  
- **Aliases**: CZ-1, Changzheng-1, Chang Zheng 1.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the Long March 1's most notable achievement?  
A: The Long March 1 launched China's first satellite, Dong Fang Hong I, on April 19, 1970, making China the fifth country to achieve an independent orbital launch.  

### Q: Why was the Long March 1 retired so quickly?  
A: It was a prototype design with limited capabilities and was replaced by more advanced rockets like the Long March 2.  

### Q: Was the Long March 1 developed entirely in China?  
A: While based on Chinese technology from the Dongfeng missile program, its design involved collaboration with the Moscow Aviation Institute.  

## Why It Matters  
The Long March 1 was a critical proving ground for China's early space ambitions, demonstrating the nation's ability to design and launch orbital-class rockets. Its success with the Dong Fang Hong I satellite signaled China's entry into the space age, fostering domestic technological confidence and paving the way for modern launch systems like the Long March 5. Though short-lived, its role as the first in the Long March series cemented its legacy as a foundational element of China's space infrastructure, enabling subsequent milestones in satellite deployment, crewed missions, and lunar exploration.  

## Notable For  
- First rocket in the Long March family, establishing the blueprint for China's launch vehicle fleet.  
- Successfully deployed Dong Fang Hong I, China's inaugural satellite, which broadcast the song "The East is Red" globally.  
- Demonstrated China's capability to adapt military missile technology (Dongfeng) for civilian spaceflight.  
- Operated for just over a year, reflecting its transitional role in China's rapid space program development.  

## Body  
### **Development**  
The Long March 1 was derived from the Dongfeng-4 ballistic missile, adapted for orbital launches by the Moscow Aviation Institute in collaboration with Chinese engineers. Its design emphasized simplicity and reliability, with a focus on placing small payloads into low Earth orbit.  

### **Launch History**  
- **First launch (January 10, 1970)**: Failed to reach orbit due to a guidance system error.  
- **Second launch (April 19, 1970)**: Successfully deployed Dong Fang Hong I, which transmitted telemetry and a musical recording for 21 days.  
- **Third launch (March 3, 1971)**: Carried the Shijian-1 satellite, concluding the rocket's operational career.  

### **Specifications**  
- **Height**: 33.4 meters (109.6 feet).  
- **Diameter**: 2.4 meters (7.9 feet).  
- **Mass**: 87,200 kg (192,200 lbs) at liftoff.  
- **Payload capacity**: 100 kg (220 lbs) to low Earth orbit.  
- **Propulsion**: Three-stage design using liquid-fueled engines.  

### **Legacy**  
The Long March 1's brief operational lifespan belied its historical importance. It validated China's rocketry expertise and enabled the development of more powerful successors, ensuring China's autonomy in space launch capabilities. Its success also spurred international recognition of China's emerging role in space exploration, setting the stage for the country's rise as a global space power.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/cz-1.htm)