Puneet Varma (Editor)

Shenzhou 1

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Mission type
  
Test flight

SATCAT no.
  
25956

Orbits completed
  
14

Dates
  
19 Nov 1999 – 20 Nov 1999

Landing date
  
20 November 1999

Orbit completed
  
14

Regime
  
Low Earth orbit

COSPAR ID
  
1999-061A

Mission duration
  
21 hours 11 minutes

Spacecraft type
  
Shenzhou

Launch date
  
19 November 1999

Rocket
  
Long March 2F

Reference system
  
Geocentric orbit

Shenzhou 1 httpswwwcapcomespacenetdossierschineshenzh

Shenzhou 1 4


Shenzhou 1 (simplified Chinese: 神舟一号; traditional Chinese: 神舟一號; pinyin: Shénzhōu Yīhào) launched on November 19, 1999, was the first unmanned launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft. The spacecraft used was not equipped with a life support system or an emergency escape system. After orbiting the Earth 14 times, the command for retrofire was sent by the Yuanwang 3 tracking ship off the coast of Namibia at 18:49 UTC. After a successful reentry it landed about 415 km east of its launch pad and 110 km north-west of Wuhai, Inner Mongolia.

Contents

The first Shenzhou spacecraft was different from those later used. Instead of featuring unfolding solar panels, Shenzhou 1 was equipped with fixed solar cells. During this first flight there were also no orbit changes. According to Qi Faren the chief designer of the spacecraft, only 8 of the 13 sub-systems on board the spacecraft were operational. Shenzhou 1 was designed primarily to test the Long March 2F rocket. The only systems and capabilities tested on the spacecraft were the separation of the modules, attitude control, lifting body reentry, the heat shield, and ground recovery.

The spacecraft is thought to have carried 100 kg of seeds to investigate the effects on them of the space environment. It is also thought that the front of the Orbital Module was equipped with a dummy ELINT package, with Shenzhou 2 onwards equipped with fully functional models.

It was announced in June 1999 that the flight would take place in October of that year. At about the same time images were released on a Chinese military internet forum of the Long March 2F launcher and the Vehicle Assembly Building that would be used. After a reported propellant explosion at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (though the explosion was denied by Chinese officials) the launch was pushed back.

Mission parameters

  • Mass: 7,600 kg
  • Perigee: 195 km
  • Apogee: 315 km
  • Inclination: 42.6°
  • Period: 89.6 minutes
  • NSSDC ID: 1999-061A
  • References

    Shenzhou 1 Wikipedia