Shenzhou 1 launched on November 19, 1999, was the first unmanned launch of the
Shenzhou spacecraft. The spacecraft used was not equipped with a life support system or an emergency escape system. After orbiting the Earth 14 times, the command for retrofire was sent by the
Yuanwang 3 tracking ship off the coast of
Namibia at 18:49 UTC. After a successful reentry it landed about 415 km east of its launch pad and 110 km north-west of
Wuhai, Inner Mongolia.