China’s aerospace industry has made rapid progress in recent years. Launch site and work station construction, as the infrastructure supporting this development, is undergoing a transformation from “traditional layout” to “high density and commercialization”.<\/p>\n
Today let\u2019s take stock of what are the rocket launch sites and workstations in my country?<\/p>\n
01<\/p>\n
The four traditional launch sites<\/p>\n
China currently has four major traditional space launch sites –<\/p>\n
Jiuquan,<\/p>\n
Taiyuan,<\/p>\n
Xichang,<\/p>\n
Wenchang<\/p>\n
, respectively responsible for the launch requirements of different orbits and mission types.<\/p>\n
1. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center<\/p>\n
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, also known as “Dongfeng Space City”, was built in 1958 and straddles the junction of Jiuquan, Gansu and Ejina Banner, Inner Mongolia. The area has an inland and desert climate, with flat terrain, dryness and little rainfall, and an average annual launch window of more than 300 days.<\/p>\n
as china<\/p>\n
First created,<\/p>\n
Largest scale<\/p>\n
As a comprehensive space launch base, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is equipped with complete and reliable launch facilities. It is not only capable of launching large-angle mid- and low-orbit satellites, but it is also the only manned space launch site in China. Since its construction, more than 200 space launch missions have been completed.<\/p>\n
(Photo: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Photo source: Gansu Liaison Office in Beijing)<\/p>\n
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center<\/p>\n
north<\/p>\n
and<\/p>\n
south<\/p>\n
There are two launch site areas, of which the northern launch site area once had two space launch stations 138 and 5020, both of which have been retired.<\/p>\n
138 workstations<\/p>\n
: Launched Dongfeng-5, Long March 2, and Storm 1.<\/p>\n
5020 workstation<\/p>\n
: Launched Long March 1, Dongfeng-4, and Dongfeng-5.<\/p>\n
The southern launch site area is currently used as the main launch area and has multiple space launch stations.<\/p>\n
LC-90 work station<\/p>\n
: Dedicated station for manned rockets, mainly launching the Long March 2F.<\/p>\n
LC-94 work station<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 2C,<\/p>\n
Long March 2<\/p>\n
Man,<\/p>\n
Long March 4<\/p>\n
Second,<\/p>\n
Long March 4<\/p>\n
C.<\/p>\n
LA-95A\/95B field level<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 11, Kuaizhou 1, Kuaizhou 1A, Kuaizhou 11, Jielong 1, Suzaku 1, Hyperbola 1, Ceres 1, Kaoru 2, OS-M and other rockets.<\/p>\n
LA-120 field level<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Tianlong-2, Hyperbolic-2Y, and Long March-12A VTVL test arrows.<\/p>\n
In addition, in order to promote the development of commercial aerospace, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center has established the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone around it, which is jointly constructed and managed by commercial aerospace enterprises and the center to specifically serve the launch needs of private commercial rockets. At present, companies such as Blue Arrow Aerospace, China Aerospace, Tianbing Technology, and Galaxy Power have settled or plan to settle.<\/p>\n
LC-96A work station<\/p>\n
: Blue Arrow Aerospace\u2019s exclusive launch station, mainly launches Zhuque-2 and modified Suzaku-2.<\/p>\n
LC-96B work station<\/p>\n
: Blue Arrow Aerospace liquid oxygen methane rocket launch station, mainly launches the Zhuque-3 VTVL-1 test rocket and Zhuque-3.<\/p>\n
LC-130 work station<\/p>\n
: China Aerospace\u2019s exclusive launch station, which mainly launches Lijian-1; in addition, the dedicated launch station of Lijian-2 liquid launch vehicle has completed the engineering design and is about to start construction.<\/p>\n
Tianbing technology work station<\/p>\n
: Under construction, mainly launching Tianlong-3.<\/p>\n
Galaxy power station<\/p>\n
: Under construction, mainly launching Pallas 1 and Pallas 2.<\/p>\n
2. Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center<\/p>\n
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center was founded in 1967 and is located in the plateau area of \u200b\u200bYuan Shentangping Township, Kelan County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. It is one of China’s test satellite, application satellite and launch vehicle launch test bases. It is also responsible for the Haiyang maritime satellite launch mission.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center Source: Communications Lecture Hall)<\/p>\n
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center has multi-direction, multi-orbit, long-range and high-precision measurement capabilities. It mainly performs the launch missions of various types of mid- and low-orbit satellites and launch vehicles such as sun-synchronous orbit meteorology, resources, and communications. Equipped with multiple launch stations such as 7, 9, 9A, and 16.<\/p>\n
LC-7 work station<\/p>\n
: It has launched Long March 1D, Long March 4A, Long March 4B, Dongfeng missiles, etc. It was retired in 2018.<\/p>\n
LC-9 work station<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 4B, and Long March 4C.<\/p>\n
LC-9A work station<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 6A, Long March 6B, and Long March 6C.<\/p>\n
LC-16 work station<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March-6 and Kuaizhou-1A.<\/p>\n
3. Xichang Satellite Launch Center<\/p>\n
Xichang Satellite Launch Center was founded in 1970 and is located in Mianning County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is China’s largest new spacecraft launch site with the most advanced equipment and technology, the largest number of satellite launch missions, and the ability to launch multiple types of satellites. It also manages two launch sites in Xichang and Wenchang.<\/p>\n
(Photo: Xichang Satellite Launch Center Photo source: Southwest Railway Panda Train)<\/p>\n
Up to now, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center has carried out more than 200 space launch missions. It is mainly responsible for the launch of geosynchronous orbit satellites and the launch of various application and test satellites such as communications, broadcasting, meteorology, etc. The center currently has two launch stations 2 and 3, as well as a dedicated platform for solid launch vehicle launches.<\/p>\n
LC-2 worker<\/p>\n
Bit<\/p>\n
: Known as the “No. 1 Tower in Asia”, it mainly launches Long March 2E, Long March 3A, Long March 3B and Long March 3C.<\/p>\n
LC-3 work station (old):<\/p>\n
Known as the “Tower of Merit”, it was my country’s first geosynchronous orbit satellite launch station and has been retired.<\/p>\n
LC-3 work station (new)<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 3A, and Long March 3B.<\/p>\n
Changping<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 11 and Kuaizhou-1A.<\/p>\n
4. Wenchang Space Launch Site<\/p>\n
Wenchang Space Launch Site was built in 2014 and is located in Longlou Town, Wenchang City, Hainan Province, China. It is China’s first open coastal space launch base and one of the few low-latitude launch sites in the world. So far, 33 launch missions have been carried out.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Wenchang Space Launch Site Source: Southern Plus Client)<\/p>\n
Wenchang Space Launch Site is mainly used to launch China’s new generation of large non-toxic and non-polluting launch vehicles, and undertakes space launch missions such as geosynchronous orbit satellites, large-mass polar orbit satellites, large-tonnage space stations and deep space exploration spacecraft. The launch site is equipped with 101, 201, and 301 launch stations.<\/p>\n
LC-101 workstation<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 5 and Long March 5B.<\/p>\n
LC-201 workstation<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 7, Long March 7A and Long March 8.<\/p>\n
LC-301 workstation<\/p>\n
: Under construction, the Long March 10 carrier rocket launch station is mainly used for testing and manned moon landing projects.<\/p>\n
02<\/p>\n
commercial space launch site<\/p>\n
With the rise of commercial aerospace, commercial space launch sites led by Hainan and Haiyang emerged at the historic moment.<\/p>\n
1. Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site<\/p>\n
Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site is<\/p>\n
my country’s first commercial space launch site<\/p>\n
, located in the coastal area of \u200b\u200bDongjiao Town, Wenchang City, Hainan Province, started construction on July 6, 2022, and completed its first flight on November 30, 2024, marking the breakthrough of my country’s commercial space launch site “from 0 to 1”.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site Source: Hainan Daily)<\/p>\n
At present, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site has built two launch stations 1 and 2, and plans to further expand and add two more liquid rocket launch stations 3 and 4 to meet the rapidly growing launch demand of commercial space in the future.<\/p>\n
LC-1 work station<\/p>\n
: Exclusive launch station for the Long March 8 series launch vehicles.<\/p>\n
LC-2 work station<\/p>\n
: my country\u2019s first liquid general-purpose launch tower, suitable for the launch of Type 19 rockets, including Long March 12, Zhuque 3 and other launch vehicles.<\/p>\n
LC-3\/4 workstation<\/p>\n
: Under construction, two liquid rocket launch stations.<\/p>\n
2. Hai Duong Oriental Spaceport<\/p>\n
Hai Duong Oriental Spaceport is<\/p>\n
China\u2019s first sea launch homeport<\/p>\n
, located in Haiyang City, Yantai City, Shandong Province, completed the first domestic sea launch in 2019.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Jielong 3 was launched aboard the Oriental Spaceport sea launch ship. Source: Xinhua News Agency)<\/p>\n
Different from traditional land-based space launch sites, Haiyang Dongfang Space Port relies on sea launch platforms to provide more maneuverable and flexible launch conditions for spacecrafts. Currently, the spaceport hosts five types of sea launch platforms, including:<\/p>\n
Terry<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 11 and Jielong 3.<\/p>\n
Debo No. 3<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 11.<\/p>\n
Defu 15002<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 11 and Ceres 1.<\/p>\n
Borun Kyushu<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Long March 11 and Jielong 3.<\/p>\n
Vostok Spaceport<\/p>\n
: Mainly launches Gravitation 1, Jielong 3, and Ceres 1.<\/p>\n
03<\/p>\n
Planned commercial space launch site<\/p>\n
With the explosive growth of commercial space demand and the surge in satellite constellation networking missions, China is accelerating the deployment of emerging commercial space launch sites to break through the capacity constraints of traditional launch sites and optimize the allocation of launch resources. In addition to Hainan and Haiyang, which have been put into operation, plans for commercial space launch sites in Liangshan, Yangjiang and other places have also gradually been implemented, forming a “coastal + inland” complementary launch network.<\/p>\n
1. Liangshan Commercial Space Launch Site (under planning)<\/p>\n
Liangshan Prefecture is planning to build near Xichang Satellite Launch Center<\/p>\n
commercial space launch site<\/p>\n
, using Xichang\u2019s technical resources and facilities to further improve launch efficiency and capabilities. At the same time, Liangshan\u2019s inland location advantage will help expand the commercial aerospace market and promote regional economic development.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Xichang Satellite Launch Center Source: Baidu Encyclopedia)<\/p>\n
On September 3, 2024, Sichuan Development International Commercial Spaceport Co., Ltd. was established with a registered capital of 1 billion yuan. Its overall planning adopts the “1+2+n” model:<\/p>\n
\u201c1\u201d: The core area, which is the commercial space launch site park, undertakes the main launch tasks.<\/p>\n
\u201c2\u201d: Two zones, including a technical service zone that provides technical support and an industrial carrying zone that attracts enterprises, forming an industrial cluster.<\/p>\n
“n”: Multi-group model, such as scientific research group, supporting service group, etc., jointly support the operation of the space port.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Unveiling Ceremony of Sichuan Development International Commercial Spaceport Co., Ltd. Source: Xichang Release)<\/p>\n
2. Guangdong (Yangjiang) Space Launch Home Port (under construction)<\/p>\n
Recently, Guangdong announced that the Guangdong (Yangjiang) space launch home port has been selected for provincial key project construction, with a total investment valuation of 9.2 billion yuan. The plan is to be divided into two phases of construction:<\/p>\n
Phase 1: Construction<\/p>\n
Aerospace Industrial Park<\/p>\n
, mainly including the rocket assembly and testing plant, a maritime highway bridge and a maritime roundabout, etc.<\/p>\n
Phase II: Expansion in the southwest of East Island<\/p>\n
4 sea islands<\/p>\n
, mainly constructing C3I systems, air conditioning, firefighting, water and electricity centralized control systems, etc.<\/p>\n
Yangjiang waters are suitable for execution<\/p>\n
sun synchronous orbit<\/p>\n
For southward launch missions, the launch complexity and cost are lower than those in the Yellow Sea, and since they are close to ports, the rockets can be quickly transported by sea to improve launch efficiency. Since 2023, the Yangjiang sea area has fully verified the feasibility and safety of the Yangjiang launch point through multiple successful launches. It is planned to form two launch points, “one south and one north” with Haiyang, Shandong, to meet the launch needs of various orbits.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Jielong 3 launches nine satellites with one arrow in the sea near Yangjiang. Source: Yangjiang High-tech Zone Technology Business Incubator)<\/p>\n
In February 2025, Yangjiang Commercial Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. was established to focus on satellite applications and launch services, marking an important step for Yangjiang in the commercial aerospace field.<\/p>\n
04<\/p>\n
Opportunities and challenges<\/p>\n
Judging from international experience, the United States has built the world’s densest space launch network through coastal layout, with about 20 space launch sites and more than 40 launch stations. Its core launch sites such as Cape Canaveral Space Force Base and Vandenberg Space Force Base are all located in coastal areas. In 2024, Cape Canaveral carried out 67 launches and Vandenberg completed 47 launches. Together, they accounted for 74% of the total launches in the United States for the entire year, which fully reflects the strategic value of the coastal launch system.<\/p>\n
(Picture: Translation of the U.S. Space Launch Site Source: FAA\/AST September 2022)<\/p>\n
Why is the United States keen on building launch sites in coastal areas? What are the advantages of coastal launch sites?<\/p>\n
Low latitude launch:<\/p>\n
Due to the high rotation speed of the earth in low latitudes, rockets can save thrust under the same fuel conditions, thereby significantly increasing payload capacity.<\/p>\n
Maritime transportation guarantee:<\/p>\n
Compared with land transportation, sea transportation is cheap and not limited by rocket diameter.<\/p>\n
Multiple shot options<\/p>\n
: Coastal launch sites can flexibly adjust launch orbits to meet the different orbital needs of various satellites. They also help optimize rocket recovery routes and improve recovery efficiency and safety.<\/p>\n
At present, China’s launch missions are mainly concentrated in the four traditional space launch sites of Jiuquan, Taiyuan, Xichang and Wenchang. Traditional launch sites need to take into account national missions such as military and civilian, manned spaceflight, etc., and there is a resource allocation conflict with commercial launch needs. In addition, private aerospace companies generally choose to deploy final assembly bases in coastal areas such as the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. If they insist on launching inland, they will have to bear thousands of kilometers of additional land transportation costs and the risk of disassembly and reorganization. This spatial separation between the industrial chain and the launch site objectively restricts the large-scale application of commercial rockets.<\/p>\n
Drawing on the experience of deploying coastal launch sites in the United States, my country’s construction of commercial space launch sites in coastal areas such as Hainan, Haiyang and Yangjiang will solve the problems of high cost and low launch efficiency caused by traditional space launch sites, and promote the accelerated implementation of the innovative model of “launch after leaving the factory and reuse after recovery”.<\/p>\n
In short, coastal launch sites are becoming an important part of the global space launch system with their unique location advantages and resource integration capabilities.<\/p>\n
Summarize<\/p>\n
China is proceeding on two tracks of “traditional launch site upgrade + coastal commercial launch site expansion” to cope with the explosive demand for commercial rockets. However, problems such as the long construction period of workstations and complex approval processes still require coordinated breakthroughs in policy and technology to support the launch needs of the future 10,000-satellite constellation network.<\/p>\n
Collection!<\/p>\n
Commercial aerospace industry financing projects<\/p>\n
We will carry out “<\/p>\n
Commercial Space Project Financing Roadshow<\/p>\n
“Activity aims to provide a platform for display and capital docking of innovation and entrepreneurial projects in the commercial aerospace field, promote the implementation of industrial innovation, and accelerate the industrialization process of innovation results.<\/p>\n
This solicitation is fully open to enterprises in the upstream, midstream and downstream industrial chain of commercial aerospace, covering multiple fields such as new materials and new processes, parts manufacturing, complete satellites and rockets, satellite applications and services.<\/p>\n
This roadshow will invite domestic<\/p>\n
well-known investment institutions,<\/p>\n
Angel investors,<\/p>\n
Industrial Investment Group,<\/p>\n
local government<\/p>\n
\/<\/p>\n
Produce<\/p>\n
industrial park<\/p>\n
There are over 100 professional investors.<\/p>\n
, and submit your financing BP. We will conduct a roadshow in March 2025 and look forward to your participation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
China’s aerospace industry has made rapid progress in recent years. Launch site and work station construction, as the infrastructure supporting this development, is undergoing a transformation from “traditional layout” to “high density and commercialization”. Today let\u2019s take stock of what are the rocket launch sites and workstations in my country? 01 The four traditional launch […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25450"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25450\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}