The Successful Research and Manufacture of "Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs and Man-Made Satellite"

"Two Bombs, One Satellite" was New China’s representative cutting-edge achievement in respect to national defense based on the advanced science and technology.

During the 1950s-1960s, faced by the severe international situation, in order to resist the imperialist threat of force and break the nuclear monopoly and resist the nuclear blackmail by big powers, the Party Central Committee resolutely made a major decision to develop "two bombs and one satellite" and focused on making breakthroughs in the field of cutting-edge advanced national defense technology.

In 1956, the development of atomic bombs and missiles was included in China's 12-year long-term plan for scientific and technological development. In November 1962, the Central Committee established a 15-member special committee headed by Zhou Enlai, including He Long, Nie Rongzhen and Luo Ruiqing, to organize and lead the development of "two bombs and one satellite”.

Under the unified leadership of the Central Committee, the whole country made historic breakthroughs by concentrating on “One Move”. On October 16, 1964, China successfully tested its first atomic bomb. On June 17, 1967, China's first hydrogen bomb was successfully tested in the Lop Nur Test Base, by an air explosion. On April 24, 1970, China's first man-made earth satellite “Dongfanghong-1” was successfully launched into the planned orbit. "Two bombs and one satellite" was a great achievement made through self-reliance and independent innovation under the condition that China’s material and technological foundation was quite weak, which further increased its scientific and technological strength, especially the strength of its national defense, and enhanced its major power status in the international arena.