In early 1967, many scientists, including

By Xinhua writers Yang Chunxue Air Max España , Yu Fei


BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Yu Jun aimed his telescope at a bright star in the night sky. A moment later, a dim light passed across it, along the very path foreign astronomy websites had forecast.


"Dongfanghong-1," Yu Jun noted in his observer diary.


"I can hardly believe that several decades after its launch Air Max Baratas , China's first satellite can still be seen. It's amazing," he exclaims.


The launch of Dongfanghong-1 on April 24, 1970 marked China's entry into a new epoch of space exploration.


But less-well understood is how China developed high-end space technologies during impoverished and turbulent times.


GREAT LEAP FORWARD


In 1957, the Soviet Union and United States each launched their first satellites, officially starting a space race. A year later http://www.airmax2019espana.es/ , Chinese leader Chairman Mao Zedong proposed, "We too should produce satellites."


Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences began a satellite program with the aim of launching China's first satellite in 1960.


At that time - during the Great Leap Forward - ordinary Chinese talked of "launching high-yield satellites" in a reference to reporting fictitiously high crop yields or industrial output. But a satellite launch could not be fabricated.


The young scientists worked day and night for three months and produced models of the rocket and the satellite. But many questions were left unresolved, because they lacked basic theory and computing methods. Their first attempt failed.


In the autumn of 1958, Zhao Jiuzhang and other scientists were given a cold shoulder when they visited the Soviet Union to study space technology. China had to be self-reliant to develop a satellite.


China lacked the technological industry support that was necessary for the research and development of satellites. Realizing this, the scientists decided to begin with a sounding rocket.


SOUNDING ROCKET


A sounding rocket - also called a research rocket - carries instruments for space research. Scientists believed the sounding rockets could pave the way for satellite-carrying rockets.


Yang Nansheng and Wang Xiji were appointed to head the design of a sounding rocket at the Shanghai Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering in late 1950s.


Wang recalls how - with no computers - researchers had to calculate their computations by hand or by abacus. They worked in three shifts Air Max 2017 Baratas , and spent almost a month calculating an orbit. The computing papers were stacked higher than their desks.


After overcoming many barriers, they produced the T-5 sounding rocket - only to find they lacked the necessary equipment for engine testing. The rocket ended up in an exhibition display case.


"To reach space in a single bound was too ambitious," says Wang. Learning from their failures, they turned to researching the smaller T-7M sounding rocket.


The lack of funds made an incredibly shabby research environment, Wang recalls. The engine test room was a refitted toilet. The timing device controlling the separation of the head and body of the rocket was modified from a table clock. Scientists made the ignition device by taking the filament from the small bulbs of an electric torch Air Max 2018 Baratas , and wrapping them with nitro-cotton. With no equipment to pressurize the fuel, they used a bicycle pump to get the propellant in the tank.


On February 19, 1960, at the launch site on a beach in suburban Shanghai, the T-7M soared into the air Air Max 2019 Baratas , reaching 8 kilometers above the ground. There were no telephones, walkie-talkies or loudspeakers - only hand gestures and shouting.


The nation that invented the primitive rocket 800 years before had successfully launched its first modern rocket.


NEW SATELLITE PLAN


Suspension of the satellite plan failed to stifle the Chinese space dream. The Chinese Academy of Sciences hosted interstellar navigation forums 12 times from 1961 to 1964. In 1964, China successfully tested its first ballistic missile and atomic bomb.P That progress prompted the reconsideration of satellite research. Scientists Qian Xuesen and Zhao Jiuzhang suggested the central government put the satellite back on the agenda. It was approved.


In the autumn of 1965, discussions on the overall satellite plan lasted 42 days. Many scientists said it was the longest meeting they had ever attended.


They decided that the task of China's first satellite was to provide experience and data for future satellites to carry out missions such as earth observation, communication Nike Air Max Baratas , broadcasting and meteorology.


They planned the launch for 1970.


Wang Xiji presided over the appraisal and design of the carrier rocket Changzheng 1, or Long March 1. He combined the technology of the sounding rocket and missiles in a creative way.


However, the start of the Cultural Revolution threatened to disrupt the plans.


In early 1967, many scientists, including Wang Air Max Baratas Outlet , were denounced. Rocket expert Yao Tongbin was beaten to death at the door of his home. Zhao Jiuzhang, the founder of China's satellite research program, committed suicide rather than endure more suffering. Qian Ji, who drafted the launch plan, was identified as a "reactionary of academic authority." Confined to bed by illness Comprar Air Max Baratas , Qian wrote more than 50,000 documents to record the precious research.


At a critical juncture, Premier Zhou Enlai and Vice Premier Nie Rongzhen established the China Academy of Space Technology as an arm of the military under the leadership of the Communist Party. This kept the satellite launch on schedule.


BRAINSTORMS


Although a latecomer, China's satellite was to be more advanced than those of other countries, the scientists assumed.


He Zhenghua Air Max Baratas Online , leader of general technology team, suggested installing a music device to play the song "Dongfanghong", or "The East is Red". Adapted from a folk song, the lyrics sing the praises of Chairman M . Cheap Puma Rihanna Cheap Puma Fenty Cheap New Balance Sport Cheap New Balance Shoes Cheap New Balance Burgundy Cheap New Balance Gold Cheap New Balance Clearance Cheap Nike Presto Sale Cheap Air Presto Black Cheap Air Presto Sale