The "Two Bombs and One Satellite"

The "Two Bombs and One Satellite"

The "two bombs and one satellite" referred to the nuclear bombs (atomic and hydrogen bombs), the missile, and the space satellite. It was a general term for China's efforts to develop its own nuclear and space technologies.

In the 1950s, facing Western nuclear threats and political blackmail, the first-generation leadership of the CPC assessed the world situation and decided that China needed to develop its own atomic bomb, missile and space satellite.

In 1956, an outline of a long-range plan for scientific and technological development from 1956 through 1967 was formulated under the guidance of Zhou Enlai, Chen Yi, Li Fuchun (1900-1975) and Nie Rongzhen. In January 1958, a bureau was set up under the Second Ministry of the Machinery Industry to take charge of nuclear weaponry research and development, and Deng Jiaxian (1924-1986) and other scientists were entrusted with the task of producing China's first atomic bomb.

On October 16, 1964, China detonated its first atomic bomb; on June 17, 1967, it exploded its first hydrogen bomb; and on April 24, 1970, it launched its first satellite into the earth's orbit.

These were huge achievements on the part of the Chinese scientists and technicians involved.

“两弹一星”

“两弹一星”，主要指核弹（原子弹、氢弹）、导弹和人造卫星，是对中国依靠自己的力量掌握的核技术和空间技术的统称。

20世纪50年代，面对帝国主义的核威胁、核讹诈，中国共产党第一代领导集体审时度势，高瞻远瞩，果断决定研制原子弹、导弹、人造地球卫星。1956年，在周恩来、陈毅、李富春、聂荣臻的主持下，制定了《1956年至1967年科学技术发展远景规划纲要》。1958年1月，中国成立了负责组织核武器研制的二机部核武器研制局，把制造第一枚原子弹的任务交给了邓稼先等人。

1964年10月16日，中国第一颗原子弹爆炸成功；1967年6月17日，中国第一颗氢弹空爆试验成功；1970年4月24日，中国第一颗人造卫星发射成功。“两弹一星”，是中华民族创建的辉煌伟业，是中国人民在攀登现代科学高峰征途中创造的人间奇迹。