Although the PRC only launched its first manmade satellite in 1970, its space programme can be traced back to the late 1950s. Inspired by the Soviet Union’s success in launching the world’s first satellite Sputnik 1, the PRC initiated its own space programme in 1958. Codenamed Project 581, the programme aimed to send the country’s first satellite into the space in three years time.
However, the project was postponed by the severe economic difficulty between 1958~1961. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), which was appointed to head the space programme, adjusted the programme goal to first focus on sub-orbital launches using sounding rockets. A total of 24 launches were carried out between 1960~1965 from a launch site codenamed 603 located in the eastern Anhui Province. Selection of astronaut candidates also began in Beijing, but the 24 finalists were returned to their original units only ten months later.
Following the first human spaceflight mission by the Soviet Union in 1961, the PRC speeded up its own space programme. In 1962, the Central Special Committee headed by the then premier Zhou Enlai was formed as the highest policymaking body for the space programme. In 1965, the committee approved the satellite development plan proposed by Dr Qian Xuesen, father of China’s missile and space programme. The design of the first satellite (Project 651) was assigned to the newly founded Satellite Design Academy of CAS, while the development of the CZ-1 launch vehicle was assigned to the 7th Ministry of Machinery Industry.
Under the PRC’s ten-year space plan, the first step was to launch a scientific experimental satellite. The next step would focus on the development of the recoverable reconnaissance satellite. The first manned spacecraft could be based on the same recovery technology. Later a complete system of application satellites for communications, meteorology, and navigation would follow.
While the first manmade satellite was still in development, preparation for manned spaceflight was already underway. On 28 July 1966, the space dog Shanshan and a white rat were successfully sent into the sub-orbit by a sounding rocket from Base 603 and returned to the Earth safely. The test proved the possibility of sending human into the space.
Before further animal flight missions could be carried out, the PRC space programme was seriously disrupted by the ‘Culture Revolution’ that began in 1966. Red guards seized the CAS, and top rocket scientists were prosecuted and exiled, forcing the satellite development to ground to a halt. In order to continue the programme, personnel and facilities for the space programme were transferred to the PLA in January 1967. The satellite development was also taken over by the newly founded China Academy of Space Technology (also known as 5th Academy) under the 7th Ministry of Machinery Industry.
The competition between the Soviet Union and United States to land human on the Moon reached its climax in the late 1960s. Driven by this, the PRC once again speeded up its own space programme. During a conference held in January 1968, the first manned spacecraft was named Shuguang 1 (Shuguang = “Dawn”).
Despite the chaos caused by the Culture Revolution, by March 1968 the CAS Institute of Mechanics had completed the detailed analysis and tests necessary for engineering development of the recoverable satellite. These included selection of the satellite's orbital trajectory; calculation of landing precision; determination of retrorocket requirements; studies of re-entry aerodynamics; selection of the external shape of the return vehicle; studies of aerodynamic drag and shear stress; and design of the heat shield. The Shanghai 2nd Academy of Mechanics & Electronics also began development of the retrorocket.
In April 1968, under the suggestion of Dr Qian Xuesen, the Institute of Cosmic Medicine & Engineering Research was formed to carry out research on human life activities in outer space environment, as well as the development of the spacesuit, space food, and life support system for the astronaut.
