China's space quest in modern history dates back to the 1950s. In 1956, China's first missile-and-rocket research institute was set up, marking the start of China's space industry.
On April 24, 1970, China successfully launched its first satellite, Dongfanghong I, making China the fifth country on the globe that independently launched a satellite, after the former Soviet Union, the U.S., France and Japan.
