As the gateway to space for various countries, the space launch site is a key indicator of measuring aerospace capabilities. These huge facilities located in specific geographical locations not only provide the space required for rocket launches, but also constitute a complex system that integrates assembly, testing, filling, launch and measurement and control. It can be said that the number, distribution and technical level of launch sites directly determine a country’s ability to enter and explore space. On October 4, 1957, the former Soviet Union successfully conducted the first human orbital launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in southern Kazakhstan. On April 12, 1961, the former Soviet Union successfully carried out the first manned launch in human history from the Baikonur launch site. Yuri Gagarin became the first astronaut in human history to enter outer space and complete Earth orbit. In 1949, the United States opened its first space launch site, the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and attempted an orbital launch for the first time (Pioneer × Pioneer TV-3) on December 6, 1957, but it was unsuccessful. On February 1, 1958, the United States once again launched an orbital mission from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, successfully sending the first artificial earth satellite (Explorer 1) into space. 1 In the same year, my country started construction of its first space launch center, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and successfully launched my country’s first artificial earth satellite (Dongfanghong-1) into space from here on April 21, 1970. Subsequently, in order to launch its own geostationary communications satellites, my country built the Xichang Satellite Launch Center after launching Project 331, which was mainly used to launch the Long March 3 and Long March 3A series rockets. With the development of aerospace science and technology in China, the United States and Russia, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, India, North Korea, South Korea, Israel and other countries have also built their own space launch sites in order to better develop their own aerospace industry.
The following is a summary of information on launch sites around the world that have put satellites into orbit:
1. United States
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Kennedy Space Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Wallops Launch Complex, Edwards Air Force Base, Pacific Spaceport Complex, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Reagan Proving Ground (Marshall Islands), Mojave Air and Space Port.
2.Russia
Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan), Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome, Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Svobodny Cosmodrome, Delta-class submarines, Odyssey launch platform, Dombarovsky Air Base, Vostok Cosmodrome.
3.China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Wenchang Space Launch Site, Haiyang Oriental Space Port, Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site.
4. France
Inter-military Special Equipment Testing Center (Algeria), Guyana Space Center (French Guiana).
5. Japan
Uchinoura Space Center, Tanegashima Space Center.
6. North Korea
Donghai Satellite Launch Site and Xihae Satellite Launch Site.
7. South Korea
Naro Space Center, Jeju Island Launch Platform.
8. Iran
Semnan Space Center, Shahrude Missile Test Range.
9. Italy
Broglio Space Center (Kenya).
10.Australia
Woomera Range Complex.
11.India
Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
12. Israel
Palmachim Air Base.
13. Spain
Gando Air Force Base.
14.Brazil
Alcantara Space Center.
15. New Zealand
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.
Currently, the construction of global space launch sites is showing a multi-polar development trend, and countries are actively deploying them according to their own strategic needs. The number and scale of space launch sites is like the tip of an iceberg. Hidden beneath it is a complete aerospace industry chain, talent reserve and technological innovation system. If a country can operate multiple modern launch sites at the same time and organize launch missions frequently, it means that the country’s aerospace industry has got rid of chance and experimentation and has the ability to continuously and reliably enter and utilize space.
