HICAL

Chinese spaceport company

Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd.

Trade name

| HICAL

|

Native name

| 海南国际商业航天发射有限公司
Company type| State-owned enterprise
Industry| Transport
Founded| 2 June 2022; 2 years ago (2022-06-02)
Headquarters| Wenchang, Hainan, China

Key people

| Yang Tianliang
(Chairman of the Board)[1]
Products| Spaceport operations and services
Owner| Hainan Provincial Government
China Satellite Network Group
CASIC
CASC
Subsidiaries| Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site

Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd., or HICAL, is a Chinese state-owned company that operates the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, China's first commercial spaceport. Established in 2022, HICAL is the first commercially incorporated company in China to independently own and manage a spaceport.

## History and Launch Pads

[edit]

Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL) was incorporated on June 2, 2022. The company is jointly funded by the Hainan Provincial Government and three state-owned aerospace contractors: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and China Satellite Network Group. HICAL was established with a starting capital of RMB 1.5 billion.[2]

On July 6, 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, which is China's first commercial space launch complex, and which is fully funded, constructed and operated by HICAL.[3] Launch Complex 1 was completed in December 2023 and Launch Complex 2 is expected to be completed in 2024.[4][3]

Wenchang Commercial Space Launch SiteLocation| Wenchang, Hainan, China

|

Operator| HICAL
Total launches| 1
Launch pad(s)| Two
| Launch Complex 1 launch history

Status| Active
First launch| January 2025
Long March 8 / G60 Group TBD
Associated
rockets| Long March 8
Long March 8A
Launch Complex 2 launch history

Status| Active
Launches| 1
First launch| 30 November 2024
Long March 12 / Demo Flight
Associated
rockets| Long March 12 (active)
Tianlong-3 (future)
Pallas-1 (future)
Nebula-1 (future)
Gravity-2 (future)
Kinetica 2 (future)

## Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site

[edit]

The Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site (Chinese: 文昌商业航天发射场), located at Wenchang, Hainan, is China's first commercial space launch site, and 5th space launch site. The launch site started construction in July 2022, and is expected to be put into service in 2024.[5]

The Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site is built and operated by HICAL, a joint venture of the Hainan government and three state-owned conglomerates. In China, a commercial space center is a site owned by an entity other than the Government or Military.[6]

Construction of the site started in July 2022, and the launch complex one was finished on Dec 29, 2023.[5][7] As of April 2024, the second pad is set to be finished by the end of May, with 19 different rockets from nine companies expected to launch using LC-2.[8]

## See also

[edit]

* Chinese space program
* Wenchang Space Launch Site
* Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
* Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
* Xichang Satellite Launch Center

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wei, An; Xu, Shuyang. "火箭"工位"准备中 海南商业航天发射场项目最新进展" (in Chinese). China Central Television. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
2. ^ "海南国际商业航天发射有限公司". www.iguopin.com. 国聘. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
3. ^ a b Su, Jiede; Liu, Mengxiao. "海南国际商业航天发射中心今年将实现首发". www.hi.chinanews.com.cn (in Chinese (China)). China News Service. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
4. ^ Liu, Mengxiao; Peng, Qinglin. "海南国际商业航天发射中心一号发射工位竣工-新华网". hq.news.cn (in Chinese (China)). Xinhua. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
5. ^ a b "Commercial space launch site begins construction". China Daily. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
6. ^ Joseph, Joane. "Work begins on China's First Commercial Spacecraft Launch Centre at Hainan". GizmoChina. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
7. ^ Jones, Andrew (5 January 2024). "China completes new commercial launch pad to boost access to space". SpaceNews. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
8. ^ Jones, Andrew (4 April 2024). "China putting finishing touches on seaside spaceport for commercial launches (video)". Space.com. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Long March (rocket family)

Rockets|

* Feng Bao 1
* Long March 1
* 1D
* Long March 2
* 2A
* 2C
* 2D
* 2E
* 2F
* Long March 3
* 3A
* 3B
* 3B/E
* 3C
* Long March 4
* 4A
* 4B
* 4C
* Long March 5
* 5B
* Long March 6
* 6A
* 6C
* Long March 7
* 7A
* Long March 8
* 8A
* Long March 9
* Long March 10
* Long March 11
* 11H
* Long March 12

Launch sites|

* Jiuquan
* Taiyuan
* Wenchang
* Commercial
* Xichang

Manufacturers|

* China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
* Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology

Designers|

Wang Xiji

* List of Long March launches

* v
* t
* e

Chinese space program

* China National Space Administration (CNSA)
* China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
* China Manned Space Agency
* People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps
* People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force

| Spaceports and landing sites|

* Jiuquan
* Taiyuan
* Wenchang
* Xichang
* Siziwang Banner (landing site)

|

Launch vehicles|

* Long March 1
* Long March 2
* Long March 3
* Long March 3A
* Long March 3B
* Long March 3C
* Long March 4
* Long March 4A
* Long March 4B
* Long March 4C
* Long March 5
* Long March 6
* Long March 7
* Long March 8
* Long March 9 (In development)
* Long March 10 (In development)
* Long March 11
* Long March 12
* Kuaizhou
* Kaituozhe

Exploration programs|

* Shuguang (cancelled)
* CMS (human spaceflight)
* Chang'e (lunar exploration)
* Tiangong (space station)
* Tianwen (interplanetary exploration)

Projects and missions

Science|

| Planetary science|

* Chang'e 1 (2007–09)
* Chang'e 2 (2010–present)
* Yinghuo 1† (2011)
* Chang'e 3 (2013–present)
* Chang'e 5-T1 (2014–present)
* Yutu rover (2013–2016)
* Chang'e 4 (2018–present)
* Yutu-2 rover (2018–present)
* Tianwen-1 (2020–present)
* Chang'e 5 (2020–present)
* Zhurong rover (2021–present)
* Chang'e 6 (2024)
* Tianwen-2 (2025)
* Chang'e 7 (2026)
* Chang'e 8 (2028)
* Tianwen-3 (2028)
* Tianwen-4 (2029)

|

Astronomy and
cosmology

* DAMPE (2015–present)
* HXMT (2017–present)
* GECAM (2020–present)
* CHASE (2021–present)
* ASO-S (2022–present)
* Einstein Probe (2024–present)
* SVOM (2024–present)
* Xuntian (2026)
* Space Solar Telescope

Earth observation|

* CSES (2018–present)
* Double Star (2003–07)
* Gaofen Series (2013–present)
* Haiyang Series (2002–present)
* TanSat (2016–present)
* Yaogan Series (2006–present)
* Ziyuan Series (CBERS) (1999–present)
* SMILE (2025)

Human
spaceflight|

| Uncrewed expeditions|

* Shenzhou 1
* Shenzhou 2
* Shenzhou 3
* Shenzhou 4
* Shenzhou 8

|

Crewed expeditions|

* Shenzhou 5
* Shenzhou 6
* Shenzhou 7
* Shenzhou 9
* Shenzhou 10
* Shenzhou 11
* Shenzhou 12
* Shenzhou 13
* Shenzhou 14
* Shenzhou 15
* Shenzhou 16
* Shenzhou 17
* Shenzhou 18
* (List of Chinese astronauts)

Space laboratories and cargos|

* Tiangong 1 (2011–2018)
* Tiangong 2 (2016–2019)
* Tianzhou 1 (2017)
* Tianzhou 2 (2021)
* Tianzhou 3 (2021)
* Tianzhou 4 (2022)
* Tianzhou 5 (2022)
* Tianzhou 6 (2023)

Tiangong space station modules|

* Tianhe (2021–present)
* Wentian (2022–present)
* Mengtian (2022–present)

Navigation|

* BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)

Telecommunications|

* Apstar Series (1994–present)
* Chinasat Series (1994–present)
* Queqiao (2018–present)
* Tiandu 1 and 2 (2024–present)
* Tianlian I (2008–present)
* Tianlian II (2019–present)
* Qianfan (2024–present)
* Queqiao 2 (2024–present)

Technology
demonstrators

* Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft (2020)
* FSW Program (1969–2006)
* QUESS (2016–present)
* Shijian Series (1971–present)
* XPNAV 1 (2016–present)

Related|

* Lanyue Lunar Lander

* Future missions marked in italics. Failed missions marked with † sign

* v
* t
* e

Chinese space facilities and organizations

Centers|

| Space cities|

* Dongfeng space city
* Beijing space city
* Wenchang space city
* Shanghai space city
* Yantai space city
* Guizhou Aerospace Industrial Park

|

Monitoring and
control centers|

* Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center
* Xi'an Satellite Monitor and Control Center
* Chinese Deep Space Network
* Yuanwang-class space tracking ships
* China Domestic Tracking Stations
* China Overseas Tracking Stations

Launch sites|

| Suborbital launch sites|

* Nanhui Launch Site
* Base 603

|

Orbital launch sites|

* Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
* Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
* Xichang Satellite Launch Center
* Wenchang Space Launch Site
* Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site

Crewed spacecraft
landing site|

* Siziwang Banner

Associated
organizations|

| Universities and institutes|

* CAS Key Laboratory of high-temperature gas dynamics
* China Aerodynamics Research & Development Center
* Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
* Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
* School of Aeronautics, Harbin Institute of Technology
* School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University
* China's Space Medical Institute

|

Ministries and agencies|

* China Ministry of Aerospace Industry
* China National Space Administration
* China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
* China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
* China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
* Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
* Fifth Institute under the National Defense Ministry
* China Aerospace Corporation
* Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology
* Academy of Aerospace Solid Propulsion Technology
* People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force

Commercial companies|

| Launch providers|

* CAS Space*
* Deep Blue Aerospace
* ExPace*
* Galactic Energy
* i-Space
* LandSpace
* LinkSpace
* OneSpace
* Orienspace
* Space Epoch
* Space Pioneer
* Space Trek

|

Spacecraft manufacturers|

* ChangGuang Satellite*
* COMMSAT
* Galaxy Space
* Geespace
* OK-Space
* Smart Satellite
* Spacety

Component suppliers|

* Jiuzhou Yunjian
* SMotor
* ZeroG Lab

Commercial companies with majority state ownership marked with * sign

* v
* t
* e

Chinese Lunar Exploration Program

* China National Space Administration
* Chinese space program

Missions|

* Chang'e 1 (Oct 2007)
* Chang'e 2 (Oct 2010)
* Chang'e 3 (Dec 2013)
* Yutu rover
* Chang'e 5-T1 (Oct 2014)
* Queqiao (relay satellite, May 2018)
* Chang'e 4 (Dec 2018)
* Yutu-2 rover
* Chang'e 5 (Nov 2020)
* Queqiao 2 (relay satellite, Mar 2024)
* Tiandu 1 and 2
* Chang'e 6 (May 2024)
* Chang'e 7 (2026)
* Chang'e 8 (2028)

Launch vehicles|

* Long March 3A
* Long March 3B
* Long March 3C
* Long March 5
* Long March 8

Facilities|

* Xichang Satellite Launch Center
* Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site

People|

* Zhang Qingwei
* Ouyang Ziyuan
* Ma Xingrui
* Ye Peijian

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Hainan topics

Haikou (capital)

General|

* History
* Historical and cultural sites
* Politics
* Economy

Geography|

* Islands of Hainan
* Dazhou Island
* Haidian Island
* Haitang Bay
* Sanya Bay
* Nandu River
* Wanquan River
* Songtao Reservoir
* Wuzhizhou Island
* Wuzhi Mountain
* Yangpu Peninsula
* Yongxing Island/Woody Island

Flora and fauna|

* Hainan yellow lantern chili
* Hainan gymnure
* Hainan partridge
* Hainan peacock-pheasant
* Hainan black crested gibbon
* Hainan hare

Media|

* Hainan TV
* Haikou TV
* Nanguo Metropolis Daily
* Hainan Daily

Transportation|

* Hainan Eastern Ring HSR
* Hainan Western Ring HSR
* Hainan Airlines
* Haikou Meilan International Airport
* Qionghai Bo'ao Airport
* Sanya Phoenix International Airport
* Basuo Port
* Haikou New Port
* Haikou Xiuying Port
* Macun Port
* Port of Yangpu

Education|

* Haikou College of Economics
* Hainan Medical University
* Hainan Normal University
* Hainan University
* Qiongzhou University/Hainan Tropical Ocean University
* Sanya University

Demographics|

* Hainanese
* Li
* Miao
* Zhuang
* Utsul
* Tanka
* Lingao people [zh]
* Mainland People [zh]

Buildings and structures|

* Crown of Beauty Theatre
* Haikou Century Bridge
* Haikou Great Hall of the People
* Hainan Centre for the Performing Arts
* Hainan Exhibition & Convention Center
* Hainan Library

Cuisine|

* Hainan chicken rice
* Wenchang chicken

Visitor attractions|

* Statue of Guanyin
* Hainan Museum
* Leiqiong/Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark
* Luobi Cave
* Mission Hills Star Trophy
* Nanwan Monkey Island
* Nanshan Temple
* Phoenix Island
* Temple of the Five Lords
* Tianya Haijiao
* Yangpu Ancient Salt Field
* Yalong Bay

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Spaceports

Active|

| Asia|

* Chinese government: CNSA
* Jiuquan
* Taiyuan
* Wenchang
* Xichang
* Chinese private launches: HICAL (Wenchang Commercial)
* India: ISRO
* Satish Dhawan
* Thumba
* Indonesia: LAPAN
* Pameungpeuk
* Iran: ISA
* Semnan
* IRGC
* Shahroud Space Center
* Israel: ISA
* Palmachim
* Japanese government: JAXA
* Tanegashima
* Uchinoura
* Japanese private launches: Space One
* Kii
* Kazakhstan / Russia: Roscosmos / VKS
* Baikonur
* VKS
* Sary Shagan
* North Korea: NADA
* Sohae
* South Korea: KARI
* Naro
* Pakistan: SUPARCO
* Sonmiani
* Russia: Roscosmos
* Vostochny
* VKS
* Dombarovsky / Yasny

|

Europe|

* Norway: NOSA
* Andøya
* SvalRak
* Russia: VKS
* Kapustin Yar
* Plesetsk
* Spain: INTA
* El Arenosillo
* Sweden: SSC Esrange
* United Kingdom: UKSA
* Spaceport Cornwall
* SaxaVord Spaceport

United States|

* Government: USSF
* Cape Canaveral SFS / ER
* Vandenberg SFB / WR
* NASA
* Kennedy
* Wallops
* Academic:
* Poker Flat
* Private:
* Corn Ranch
* Pacific
* MARS
* Mojave
* Spaceport America
* SpaceX Starbase

Oceania|

* Australia: RAAF
* Woomera
* Southern Launch
* Koonibba
* New Zealand: Rocket Lab
* Mahia Peninsula
* Marshall Islands / United States: DoD
* Reagan Test Site

South America|

* Brazil: FAB / AEB
* Alcântara
* Barreira do Inferno
* Europe: ESA / France: CNES
* Guiana / Kourou

International waters|

* Sea Launch

Proposed|

* Canada: Canso
* India: Kulasekharapatnam
* Indonesia: LAPAN
* Biak
* Japan:
* Oita
* Hokkaido
* Sweden: Spaceport Sweden
* United Kingdom: Sutherland spaceport
* United States:
* Cecil
* Clinton-Sherman
* Colorado
* Ellington
* Maine
* Midland
* Spain: El Hierro

Historical|

* Algeria / France:
* CIEES
* Hammaguir
* Reggane
* Australia: Carnarvon
* Canada: Churchill
* Hall Beach
* Resolute Bay
* China: Guangde
* Nanhui
* Nazi Germany: Blizna
* Greifswalder Oie
* Peenemünde
* Tuchola Forest
* Greece: Koroni
* India: Balasore
* Italy: Salto di Quirra
* Japan: Akita
* Nii-jima
* Obachi
* Ryori
* Kenya / Italy: Broglio, Malindi
* North Korea: Tonghae
* Soviet Union / Russia: Kheysa
* Okhotsk
* Svobodny
* Spain: El Arenosillo
* Sweden: Kronogård
* USA: Edwards
* WSSH

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* Spaceflight
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