This Day, That Year

Editor’s Note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy.

China successfully sent its first satellite, Dongfanghong 1, into orbit in 1970.

In April 1984, the country’s first communications satellite was launched and the satellite sent pictures back for television viewers, as seen in the item on April 19, 1984, from China Daily (right).

The space program symbolizes the nation’s policy of independence and self-reliance.

China has made big leaps in space exploration. Cur- rently 16 communications satellites are operated by the country.

The most advanced is Shijian 13, which was launched on April 12 last year. It marks the start of the country’s large-capacity communications network.

The country’s first highthroughput communication satellite, which weighs 4.6 metric tons, is expected to stay in a geostationary orbit about 36,000 kilometers above the Earth for 15 years.

In July, the Shijian 18 communications satellite, the nation’s largest and heaviest, was launched by a Long March 5 heavy-lift rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province. But the mission was thwarted as a result of the rocket’s mechanical malfunctions. The rocket and satellite fell into the ocean.

China also launched the world’s first quantum-enabled satellite, Micius, in August 2016.

It was a major step in the country’s bid to be at the forefront of quantum research, which could lead to new, completely secure methods of transmitting information.

Last month, leading space contractor China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp unveiled a plan to build the country’s largest satellite constellation.

Upon its completion, the Hongyan constellation will consist of more than 320 satellites operating in lowEarth orbits, capable of providing phone services and broadband internet access to users anywhere on the globe, according to the academy.