successfully launched on 13 September 1960. After several further test launches, including a few failures, the rocket reached the design altitude of on 23 November 1961. Its designed payload was . 24 T-7 rockets were launched in total from 1960 to 1965, including nine carrying meteorological payloads. The rocket was retired after a final launch in 1969. Aftermath The experience gained from developing the T-7 contributed greatly to the development of the Long March 1, the rocket that launched China's first satellite. After their success with T-7, Wang Xiji and his team were transferred to Beijing and Wang was appointed the chief designer of the Long March 1. He again collaborated with Yang Nansheng, and the Long March 1 successfully launched the Dong Fang Hong I satellite in 1970. References Sounding rockets of China 1960 establishments in China 20th century in Shanghai Pudong