Xichang Satellite Launch Center

Last updated

Xichang Satellite Launch Center
The Launch of Long March 3B Rocket.jpg
The launch of Long March 3B Rocket, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China.
Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Location Xichang, Liangshan, Sichuan
Coordinates 28°14′45.66″N102°1′35.60″E / 28.2460167°N 102.0265556°E / 28.2460167; 102.0265556
Short nameXSLC
Operator CASC
Total launches213 [lower-alpha 1]
Launch pad(s)Three
Launch Complex 2 launch history
StatusActive
Launches118
First launch15 July 1990
Long March 2E / Badr A & Aussat B-MFS
Last launch10 October 2024
Long March 3B/E / Weixing Hulianwang Gaogui-03
Associated
rockets
Long March 2E
Long March 3A
Long March 3B
Long March 3C
Launch Complex 3 launch history
StatusActive
Launches89
First launch29 January 1984
Long March 3 / DFH-2 01
Last launch3 September 2024
Long March 4B / Yaogan 43-02
Associated
rockets
Long March 3
Long March 2C
Long March 3A
Long March 3B
Long March 3C
Long March 4C
Long March 2D
Long March 4B
Mobile Launcher Pad launch history
StatusActive
Launches6
First launch29 May 2020
Long March 11 / XJS-G & XJS-H
Last launch20 September 2024
Kuaizhou 1A / Tianqi 29-32
Associated
rockets
Long March 11
Kuaizhou 1A

The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center, is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan Town (泽远镇), approximately 64 kilometers (40 mi) northwest of Xichang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan.

Contents

The facility became operational in 1984 and is used to launch numerous civil, scientific, and military payloads annually. [1] [2] It is notable as the site of Sino-European space cooperation, with the launch of the first of two Double Star scientific satellites in December 2003. Chinese officials have indicated interest in conducting additional international satellite launches from XSLC. [3]

In 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the rocket carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite failed on launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, killing at least 6 people in a nearby village. Uncontrolled debris from launches continues to fall in the vicinity, most recently in December 2023 and June 2024. [4] [5]

A 2007 test of an anti-satellite missile was launched from the center.

History

China's first crewed space program

In order to support the Chinese Project 714 crewed space program in the 1960s, the construction of a new space center at Xichang in the Sichuan province was decided, located farther from the Soviet border, thus safer. This construction was part of the Third Front campaign to develop basic industry and national security industry in the rugged interior of China to prepare for potential United States or Soviet Union invasion. [6]

The Shuguang One spacecraft was expected to be launched from the launch pad number one. After the cancellation of the program, the launch pad was never completed. Today, a viewing platform for officials has been built at the site. [7]

First Long March-2E carrier rocket

China launched its first Long March-2E carrier rocket on 16 July 1990, sending into orbit Pakistan's first indigenously developed Badr-1 satellite and HS-601.

1996 Launch accident

On 15 February 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the first new Long March 3B heavy carrier rocket carrying Intelsat 708 veered off course 22 seconds after launch, crashing 1200 meters away from the launch pad in a nearby mountain village, destroying 80 homes. According to the official report, six people died and 56 were injured. [8] The number of civilian deaths has been disputed, with estimates of the number of casualties as around a few hundred. [9] [10]

China's first successful ASAT test

On 11 January 2007, China conducted an anti-satellite missile test with an SC-19 ASAT weapon.

A Chinese weather satellite — the FY-1C polar orbit satellite of the Fengyun series, at an altitude of 865 kilometers (537 mi), with a mass of 750 kg — was destroyed by a kinetic kill vehicle.

The SC-19 has been described as being based on a modified DF-21 ballistic missile or its commercial derivative, the KT-2 with a Kinetic Kill Vehicle and is fully mobile.

Beginning of China's lunar exploration program

On October 24, 2007, Chang'e 1, an un-crewed Moon orbiter of the Chang'e program, was successfully launched from the facility, marking the beginning of China's lunar exploration program. [11]

First Long March-3C carrier rocket

China launched its first Long March-3C carrier rocket on April 25, 2008. This was the 105th mission of China's Long March series of rockets, and also the launch of the nation's first data relay satellite (数据中继卫星) Tianlian I (天链一号). [12]

A new launch pad for next-generation rockets (such as Long March 8) is currently under construction, as of December 2019. [13]

Facilities

Xichang Satellite Launch Center launch complexes Xichang launch center 4.jpg
Xichang Satellite Launch Center launch complexes
Xichang Satellite Launch Center diagram Xichang2 launch center.gif
Xichang Satellite Launch Center diagram

Launch Complexes

Three launch complexes were planned, and two were built:

Launch Complex 1 (LC-1), not built, was intended as the Shuguang launch site, later used as a viewing area. [14]

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2), located at 28°14′44″N102°01′36″E / 28.24550°N 102.02678°E / 28.24550; 102.02678 (Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2)) , and used for launching Long March 2E, Long March 3A, Long March 3B [15] [16] and Long March 3C rockets.

Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3), also known as LA-1, and located at 28°14′50″N102°01′45″E / 28.2471400°N 102.0291100°E / 28.2471400; 102.0291100 (Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3)) . Used for launching Long March 2C, Long March 3, Long March 3A and Long March 3B rockets. Demolished and rebuilt between 2005 and 2006. Upgraded in order to support the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. [17] Demolished and rebuilt again between 2013 and 2015.[ failed verification ]

Mobile Launcher Pad, is used by CASIC's Kuaizhou-1A rocket to launch from Xichang.

Technical Center

Map of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and its neighborhood Xichang launch center map.gif
Map of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and its neighborhood

XSLC's Technical Center is equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. Its Mission Command and Control Center is located 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) southwest of the launch pads, and provides flight and safety control during overall system rehearsal and launch. It is serviced by a dedicated railway and highway directly from Xichang Qingshan Airport and Manshuiwan railway station, which is about 50 kilometers (31 mi) away from the launch site. Two launch complexes at the facility support flight operations. [18]

Launches

Previously launches

Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Simplified Chinese 西昌卫星发射中心
Traditional Chinese 西昌衛星發射中心
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Xīchāng Wèixīng Fāshè Zhōngxīn
DateVehicleSerial numberLaunch PadPayloadOutcomeNotes
29 January 1984 12:25 UTC Long March 3 Y1LC-3 STTW 1 Partial Failure

Recent launches

DateVehicleSerial numberLaunch PadPayloadOutcomeNotes
20 April 2024 23:45 UTC Long March 2D 2D-Y103LC-3 Yaogan 42-02 Success

Upcoming launches

DateVehicleSerial numberLaunch PadPayloadOutcomeNotes
7 May 2024 Long March 3B/E3B-YLC-2 Shiyan 10-03 Planned
2024 Long March 3B/E3B-Y Gaofen 15 Planned
2024 Long March 3B/E3B-Y Tiantong-1 04 Planned
2024 Long March 3B/E3B-Y BeiDou-3 G5 Planned
2024 Long March 3B/E3B-YTianhui-3Planned

See also

Notes

  1. In addition to the launches carried out from LA-2 and LA-3, 6 more launches of small-lift launch vehicles (Long March 11 and Kuaizhou 1A) have been performed in a undesignated area.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center</span> Chinese launch site

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City. Because 95% of JSLC located in Jinta County, Jiuquan, the launch center is named after Jiuquan. The launch center straddles both sides of the Ruo Shui river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese space program</span> Space program of the Peoples Republic of China

The space program of the People's Republic of China is about the activities in outer space conducted and directed by the People's Republic of China. The roots of the Chinese space program trace back to the 1950s, when, with the help of the newly allied Soviet Union, China began development of its first ballistic missile and rocket programs in response to the perceived American threats. Driven by the successes of Soviet Sputnik 1 and American Explorer 1 satellite launches in 1957 and 1958 respectively, China would launch its first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1 in April 1970 aboard a Long March 1 rocket, making it the fifth nation to place a satellite in orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BeiDou</span> Chinese satellite navigation system

The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is a satellite-based radio navigation system owned and operated by the China National Space Administration. It provides geolocation and time information to a BDS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more BDS satellites. It does not require the user to transmit any data and operates independently of any telephonic or Internet reception, though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the BDS positioning information; however, concerns have been raised about embedded malware leaking information in this way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center</span> Launch site in China

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) also known as Base 25 (Chinese: 二十五基地), is a People's Republic of China space and defense launch facility (spaceport). It is situated in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province and is the second of four launch sites having been founded in March 1966 and coming into full operation in 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wenchang Space Launch Site</span> Launch site

The Wenchang Space Launch Site is a rocket launch site located in Wenchang on the island of Hainan, in China.

ChinaSat is the brand name of communications satellites operated by China Satellite Communications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long March 3B</span> Chinese orbital carrier rocket

The Long March 3B, also known as the CZ-3B and LM-3B, is a Chinese orbital launch vehicle. Introduced in 1996, it is launched from Launch Area 2 and 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. A three-stage rocket with four strap-on liquid rocket boosters, it is the heaviest variant of the Long March 3 rocket family, and is mainly used to place communications satellites and navigation satellites into geosynchronous orbits.

ChinaSat 9, also known as ZX-9, is a Chinese communications satellite.

Sino Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. known also as SinoSat is a Chinese company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2019.

Ziyuan 3-01 or ZY 3-01 is a Chinese Earth observation satellite launched in January 2012. It is a high-resolution imaging satellite operated by the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People's Republic of China.

Kuaizhou is a family of Chinese "quick-reaction" orbital launch vehicles. Flying since 2013, Kuaizhou 1 and 1A consist of three solid-fueled rocket stages, with a liquid-fueled fourth stage as part of the satellite system. Kuaizhou 11, which flew an unsuccessful maiden flight in July 2020, is a larger model able to launch a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) payload into low Earth orbit. Heavy-lift models KZ-21 and KZ-31 are in development. The Kuaizhou series of rockets is manufactured by ExPace, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), as their commercial launch vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2020.

Bilibili Video Satellite was launched by Long March 11 on Yellow Sea waters on 15 September 2020. It was China's first custom-made satellite by Chinese internet company Bilibili. The satellite was developed by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jilin-1</span> Chinese commercial satellite system

Jilin-1 is China's first self-developed commercial remote sensing satellite system. The satellites are operated by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Corporation and named after Jilin Province where the company is headquartered. The first set of satellites were launched by Long March 2D in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on 7 October 2015, at 04:13 UTC. All launched Jilin-1 satellites are in Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

Tianlian also known as CTDRS, is a Chinese data relay communication satellite constellation. The constellation serves to relay data from ground stations to spacecraft and rockets, most significantly China's crewed spaceflight program. The system currently consists of seven satellites in two generations, with the first satellite being launched in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queqiao-2</span> Chinese lunar communications satellite

Queqiao-2 relay satellite, is the second of the communications relay and radio astronomy satellites designed to support the fourth phase the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, after Queqiao-1 launched in 2018. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Queqiao-2 relay satellite on 20 March 2024 to an elliptical frozen orbit around the Moon to support communications from the far side of the Moon and the Lunar south pole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force</span> Space warfare arm of the Peoples Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force is an arm of the People's Liberation Army. It was established on 19 April 2024.

References

  1. Weitering, Hanneke (March 24, 2020). "China's Long March 2C rocket launches military surveillance satellites into orbit". Space.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  2. Howell, Elizabeth (March 12, 2020). "China's new navigation system is nearly complete with penultimate Beidou satellite launch". Space.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  3. "Dongfanghong IV ready for more int'l satellite orders". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008.
  4. "China launches new Beidou satellites, rocket booster lands near house". December 26, 2023.
  5. "Video: People run for cover as part of Chinese rocket explodes in residential area". WION. June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  6. Meyskens, Covell F. (2020). Mao's Third Front: The Militarization of Cold War China. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. pp. 4, 218. doi:10.1017/9781108784788. ISBN   978-1-108-78478-8. OCLC   1145096137. S2CID   218936313.
  7. "百人大厅静得能听见掉下一根针" (in Chinese). Shanghai Morning Post. October 22, 2007. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  8. "96年火箭发射失控爆炸全过程" (in Chinese). 大旗网. September 15, 2007. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
  9. Zak, Anatoly (February 2013). "Disaster at Xichang". Air & Space Magazine. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013. (Article on the crash of a rocket carrying a commercial payload on February 15, 1996)
  10. "The Space Review: Mist around the CZ-3B disaster (Part 1)". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  11. "China's 1st moon orbiter enters Earth orbit". Xinhua News Agency. October 24, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2007.
  12. "我国首颗中继卫星发射成功 将测控神七飞行" (in Chinese). 人民网. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
  13. Jones, Andrew (December 20, 2019). "China creates commercial space alliance, expands launch complex". SpaceNews . Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  14. "Xichang Satellite Launch Centre". SinoDefence.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
  15. "China launches French-built satellite". Xinhua News Agency. June 9, 2008. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008.
  16. "Long March 3B rocket launches Chinasat-9 satellite". Mister-Info.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
  17. "西昌卫星发射中心重建发射塔为登月作准备" (in Chinese). 人民网. September 19, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
  18. Profile of Xichang Satellite Launch Center Archived February 1, 2021, at the Wayback Machine , GlobalSecurity.org.

28°14′45.66″N102°1′35.60″E / 28.2460167°N 102.0265556°E / 28.2460167; 102.0265556