Xichang Satellite Launch Center

Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Name	Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Caption	Aerial view of launch pads at the center.
Location	Sichuan Province, China
Operator	China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Established	1970

Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It is a major launch facility operated by the China National Space Administration and is primarily used for launching heavy-lift rockets into geostationary transfer orbit. Located in the mountainous region of Sichuan Province, the center has been instrumental in China's telecommunications, weather, and lunar exploration programs. Its strategic inland location was chosen during the Cold War for security considerations.

History

The site's construction began in 1970, driven by the strategic needs of the Third Front initiative during the Cultural Revolution. It became operational in the early 1980s, with its first successful orbital launch being the Dong Fang Hong 2 communications satellite in 1984 aboard a Long March 3 rocket. Throughout the 1990s, the center gained international prominence by launching commercial satellites for foreign clients, including AsiaSat and Intelsat. This period marked China's entry into the global commercial launch market, competing with entities like Arianespace and International Launch Services.

Facilities

The center features multiple launch complexes, technical preparation buildings, and a mission command and control center. Its two main active launch pads are Launch Complex 2 and Launch Complex 3, designed to support the Long March 3 series and the newer Long March 5 heavy-lift vehicles. The facility includes a railway system connecting it to the national network for transporting rocket stages, which are manufactured in cities like Tianjin and Shanghai. A dedicated space museum and viewing areas for the public are also located nearby in Xichang city.

Launch vehicles

The primary family of rockets launched from the center is the Long March 3 series, including variants like the Long March 3A, Long March 3B, and Long March 3C. These liquid-fueled rockets use a hypergolic propellant combination and have been the workhorses for geostationary orbit missions. The site was also modified to handle the larger Long March 5, which made its inaugural flight from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site but is also compatible with Xichang's infrastructure. Earlier in its history, the center also launched rockets from the Long March 2 family.

Notable launches

A landmark mission was the launch of Chang'e 1 in 2007, China's first lunar probe. The center has deployed numerous key domestic satellites, such as the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System constellation and the Fengyun series of meteorological satellites. Significant commercial launches include the Apstar 1 satellite in 1994 and the NigComSat-1 for Nigeria in 2007. In 2020, it was the launch site for the Chang'e 5 sample-return mission's orbiter component.

Incidents and safety

The most severe accident occurred on February 15, 1996, when a Long March 3B rocket veered off course shortly after liftoff and crashed into a nearby village, causing significant casualties. This incident led to major overhauls in safety protocols and rocket design. Other failures include the loss of the Intelsat 708 satellite in 1996 and the Chinasat 9A broadcast satellite in 2017, which reached a lower-than-planned orbit. These events prompted investigations by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and reinforced the implementation of more rigorous quality control measures.

Role in Chinese space program

The center is a cornerstone of China's ambitions in space exploration and satellite technology, serving as the primary gateway to high-energy orbits. It supports the construction of critical infrastructure like the BeiDou system and facilitates deep space missions in coordination with the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. Its ongoing operations are integral to projects led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and commercial endeavors by companies like GalaxySpace. The facility's evolution reflects the broader goals of the China Manned Space Program and the nation's strategic plans for a permanent space station and future Mars exploration.

Category:Spaceports in China Category:Buildings and structures in Sichuan