Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy datesTemplate:Use American English
Template:Infobox launch pad Template:Infobox Chinese Template:GeoGroup The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center, is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan town (Template:Lang), Mianning county, approximately Template:Convert northwest of Xichang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan.
It is operated by the People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force (formerly the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force) and is known as the 27th Experimental Training base(MUCD: Unit 63790).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The facility became operational in 1984 and is used to launch numerous civil, scientific, and military payloads annually.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the Long March 3B rocket carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite failed on its maiden launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, killing at least 6 people in a nearby rural village. Uncontrolled debris from launches continues to fall in the vicinity, most recently in December 2023 and June 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
First Long March-2E carrier rocket
China launched its first Long March-2E carrier rocket on July 16, 1990, sending into orbit Pakistan's first indigenously developed Badr-1 satellite and HS-601.
1996 Launch accident
On February 15, 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the first new Long March 3B heavy carrier rocket carrying Intelsat 708 veered off course 2 seconds after launch, crashing 1200 meters away from the launch pad into a hillside, destroying 80 homes in a nearby mountain village. According to the official report, six people died and 57 were injured.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The number of civilian deaths has been disputed, with estimates of the number of casualties as around a few hundred.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web (Article on the crash of a rocket carrying a commercial payload on February 15, 1996)</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> The village that was damaged in this accident later got demolished.<ref name=":1" />
China's first successful ASAT test
On January 11, 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 Template:Convert, 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A new launch pad for next-generation rockets (such as Long March 8) is currently under construction, as of December 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Facilities
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.<ref name="SD">Template:Cite web</ref>
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2), located at Template:Coord, and used for launching Long March 2E, Long March 3A, Long March 3B<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Long March 3C rockets.
Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3), also known as LA-1, and located at Template:Coord. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Demolished and rebuilt again between 2013 and 2015.Template:Failed verification
Mobile Launcher Pad, is used by CASIC's Kuaizhou-1A rocket to launch from Xichang.
Technical Center
XSLC's Technical Center is equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. Its Mission Command and Control Center is located Template:Convert 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 Template:Convert away from the launch site. Two launch complexes at the facility support flight operations.<ref>Profile of Xichang Satellite Launch Center Template:Webarchive, GlobalSecurity.org.</ref>
Residential Area
The Residential Area of XSLC was built to house workers of the launch center, and consists of:
- "Coordination building" (Residential complex with an office and dormitories for Chinese employees of XSLC)
- Hotel for foreign workers (Located right next to the Coordination building)
- Logistics facilities, Cooperation Building, hospital<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Space park<ref name=":3" />
The Residential area is located right next to the main gate of the launch center, and is connected to other facilities by a highway and railroad.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
On the 15th of February of 1996, The Long March 3B carrying Intelsat 708 crashed into a hillside in front of the Coordination Building and right next to the main gate of the launch center.<ref name=":3" />
Located right next to the main gate of the launch center was Mayelin Village (not to be confused with Mayelin), which has disappeared following the Intelsat 708 disaster.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Several villages and small towns, such as Mayelin, still exist near XSLC.
Launches
Previous launches
Recent launches
| Date | Vehicle | Serial number | Launch Pad | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 April 2024 23:45 UTC | Long March 2D | 2D-Y103 | LC-3 | Yaogan 42-02 | Template:Success |
Upcoming launches
| Date | Vehicle | Serial number | Launch Pad | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 May 2024 | Long March 3B/E | 3B-Y | LC-2 | Shiyan 10-03 | Template:Planned | |
| 2024 | Long March 3B/E | 3B-Y | Gaofen 15 | Template:Planned | ||
| 2024 | Long March 3B/E | 3B-Y | Tiantong-1 04 | Template:Planned | ||
| 2024 | Long March 3B/E | 3B-Y | BeiDou-3 G5 | Template:Planned | ||
| 2024 | Long March 3B/E | 3B-Y | Tianhui-3 | Template:Planned |
See also
- Chinese space program
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- Wenchang Satellite Launch Center
Notes
References
External links
- Aerial Maps from Google Maps
- Xichang: An important base for China's space dream - YouTube, 2019
- Xichang Space Launch Center - YouTube, 2014
Template:Spaceport Template:CNSA space program Template:Chinese space facilities and organizations Template:Chinese launch complexes Template:CLEP Template:Authority control