Wenchang Space Launch Site

Launch site

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Wenchang Space Launch Site

Location| Wenchang, Hainan, China
Coordinates| 19°36′52.17″N 110°57′4.08″E﻿ / ﻿19.6144917°N 110.9511333°E﻿ / 19.6144917; 110.9511333
Operator| CASC
Total launches| 31
Launch pad(s)| Two
| Launch Complex 1 launch history

Status| Active
Launches| 12
First launch| 3 November 2016
Long March 5
Last launch| 3 May 2024
Long March 5 / Chang'e 6
Associated
rockets| Long March 5
Long March 5B
Launch Complex 2 launch history

Status| Active
Launches| 19
First launch| 25 June 2016
Long March 7 / YZ-1A
Last launch| 22 August 2024
Long March 7A / Chinasat 4A
Associated
rockets| Long March 7
Long March 7A
Long March 8
Wenchang Space Launch Site

Simplified Chinese| 文昌航天发射场
Traditional Chinese| 文昌航天發射場
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Wénchāng Hángtiān Fāshè Chǎng

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

* KML
* GPX (all coordinates)
* GPX (primary coordinates)
* GPX (secondary coordinates)

The Wenchang Space Launch Site (Chinese: 文昌航天发射场[1][2]) is a rocket launch site located in Wenchang on the island of Hainan, in China.

Formally a suborbital test center, it currently serves as China's southernmost spaceport. The site was selected for its low latitude, 19° north of the equator, allowing for larger payloads to be launched. It is capable of launching the Long March 5, the heaviest Chinese rocket.[3] Unlike launch facilities on the mainland, Wenchang uses its seaport for deliveries.

The construction of the site was complete by October 2014.[4] The first launch took place on 25 June 2016.[5] Due to construction delays, the initial launch of the CZ-5 booster from Wenchang, originally expected to start in 2014[6] was postponed and took place on 3 November 2016.[7] The CZ-5B (maximum payload to LEO) variant was expected to be completed circa 2018[8] but the maiden flight took place on 5 May 2020. A CZ-5 carrier rocket was already shipped from North China's Tianjin port on 20 September 2015 for rehearsal drills of a scheduled Chang'e-5 lunar mission, which was planned for around 2019[9] and was successfully launched on 23 November 2020.

## Reasons for selection

[edit]

### Location

[edit]

At 19 degrees north latitude, the Wenchang Space Launch Site is located on the Chinese island of Hainan, which is the nearest to the equator among Chinese territories. Low-latitude locations are desirable for space launch sites due to the higher speed of rotation closer to the equator, as well as the smaller inclination change maneuver needed to reach geosynchronous orbit.[10] Hainan also has a large range of allowable launch azimuths, facilitating the launch of payloads to orbital inclinations between 90 and 175 degrees.

The launch site is considered to have favorable conditions for long-term development and international collaboration, thanks to its potential for expansion, low operational expenses, and relatively lenient regulatory framework. Rockets launched from Hainan Island are within 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) of the ocean in the direction of launch, and their trajectory takes them over the open ocean. This makes falling rocket debris less likely to cause accidents and destroy property.

### Economic potential

[edit]

Wenchang Space Launch Site is in the northeast coastal section of Dongjiao Town, Wenchang City, with a coastline of roughly 4,100 meters and an area of 7,336 acres, starting from the control area of the space launch site in the north. The project is designed to include a theme park area, a central lake area (commercial and leisure function), and an ecological coconut forest region (holiday and residential function), with a total construction land area of 6,046 acres. Hainan, as a tourist destination in China with many tourism resources is predicted to grow. This space launch site was included in Hainan Province's 11th Five-Year Plan in 2010.

## Planning and construction

[edit]

During the Cold War the location was considered vulnerable to foreign military forces. After the Cold War ended, development plans were renewed. The construction of the new Wenchang Space Launch Center was officially approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China on 22 September 2007.[11]

In late October 2007, the Mayor of Wenchang announced the appropriation of 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land for the center and the necessary relocation of more than 6,000 people, mostly from the villages of Longlou (龙楼, 19°39′07″N 110°57′47″E﻿ / ﻿19.652°N 110.963°E﻿ / 19.652; 110.963﻿ (Longlou village)) and Dongjiao (东郊, 19°34′01″N 110°52′01″E﻿ / ﻿19.567°N 110.867°E﻿ / 19.567; 110.867﻿ (Dongjiao village)).[12]

A November 2007 article indicated that the actual launch site would be near Longlou, while a space-science theme park would be built near Dongjiao.[13] Satellite photography taken during April 2011 shows a clearing 19°36′50″N 110°57′05″E﻿ / ﻿19.6139°N 110.9513°E﻿ / 19.6139; 110.9513﻿ (Possible new site of launch facility) near the beach, likely for the CZ-5 launch pad.

## Launch pads

[edit]

Wenchang has two launch pads:[14]

* LC-101, designed for CZ-5 launches, including service structure and launch gantry, located at 19°36′52.17″N 110°57′4.08″E﻿ / ﻿19.6144917°N 110.9511333°E﻿ / 19.6144917; 110.9511333﻿ (LC-101).[15][16]
* LC-201, designed for CZ-7 launches, including service structure and launch gantry, located at 19°37′06″N 110°57′21″E﻿ / ﻿19.61836°N 110.95574°E﻿ / 19.61836; 110.95574﻿ (LC-201).[17][18]

* Wenchang launch pads
* CZ-5 launch, LC-101

* CZ-7 launch, LC-201

## Launch history

[edit]

The first launch was a Long March 7 which took place successfully on 25 June 2016.[5]

On 3 November 2016, the Long March 5 rocket made its maiden flight from the launch site.[19]

On 2 July 2017, a Long March 5 launch failed to complete its mission to put a seven ton Shijian-18 communications satellite into orbit.[20][21]

The third flight of Long March 5 occurred on 27 December 2019 from Wenchang LC-1.

The maiden flight of the Long March 5B variant took place on 5 May 2020 from Wenchang LC-1.

On 23 July 2020, the fourth flight of Long March 5 put China's first indigenous Mars orbiter/rover Tianwen-1 directly into TMI from Wenchang.[22]

The maiden flight of Long March 8 occurred on 22 December 2020 from Wenchang LC-2.

On 29 April 2021, the core module Tianhe of the China Space Station was successfully launched aboard a Long March 5B rocket from Wenchang LC-1.[23]

On 29 May 2021, a cargo resupply ship named Tianzhou-2 launched on a Long March 7 (Y3) rocket from LC-2 to rendezvous with the China Space Station as preparation for the upcoming Shenzhou-12 crewed mission.[24]

* Launches from Wenchang
* CZ-5 (Y1) rollout, October 2016

* CZ-5 (Y2) rollout, 2017

* Tianwen-1 launch, CZ-5 (Y4), 23 July 2020

* Chang'e 5 launch, CZ-5 (Y5), 23 November 2020

* Tianhe launch, CZ-5B (Y2), 29 April 2021

* Wentian launch, CZ-5B (Y3), 24 July 2022

* Shijian-23 launch, CZ-7A (Y4), 9 January 2023

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Li, Guoli; Wang, Ting (3 November 2016). ""中国文昌航天发射场"获命名，基本满足卫星发射各种要求" ["China Wenchang Space Launch Site" was named, basically meeting various requirements for satellite launch]. The Paper.cn (in Chinese).
2. ^ "Moto Z | 海南文昌现场直击：长征五号发射！_专题_凤凰网". v.ifeng.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
3. ^ "Hainan showcases model of Wenchang Space Center (海南首次展出文昌航天发射场设计模型图)" (in Chinese). China Picture Network (中国新闻图片网). 29 April 2008. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
4. ^ Smith, Marcia (20 October 2014). "China's new Wenchang space launch site ready for action". spacepolicyonline.com. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
5. ^ a b Zhao, Lei. "Next-gen Long March rocket takes record-breaking flight". China Daily.com.cn.
6. ^ "China's New Carrier Rocket To Debut In 2014". Space Daily. 4 March 2008.
7. ^ "Long March 5". Integrated Space Analytics. 19 July 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
8. ^ "Chang Zheng-5 (Long March-5) – SinoDefence". Sinodefence.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
9. ^ "China to rehearse new carrier rocket for lunar mission - Xinhua | English.news.cn". News.xinhuanet.com. 20 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
10. ^ "Wenchang Satellite Launch Center". Google My Maps. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
11. ^ "China to construct the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (中国将在海南省文昌市建设新的航天发射场)" (in Chinese). Sohu. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
12. ^ "Six Thousand People to be Resettled to Make Way for New Space Launch Center". 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
13. ^ "China Completes Enclosure Of Land For Fourth Satellite Launch Center". Space Daily. 19 November 2007.
14. ^ "Wenchang". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
15. ^ David, Leonard (2 April 2014). "China's New Spaceport to Launch Country's Largest Rocket Yet". Space.com. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
16. ^ "Wenchang LC101". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
17. ^ "More details on the Hainan Space Centre emerging – SinoDefence". Sino Defence.com. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
18. ^ "Wenchang LC201". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
19. ^ "Spaceflightnow launch schedule". Spaceflightnow. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
20. ^ "China to launch 2nd heavy-lift carrier rocket - People's Daily Online". en.people.cn.
21. ^ "Chinese rocket fails after lift-off". BBC News. 2 July 2017.
22. ^ Roston, Michael; Myers, Steven Lee (22 July 2020). "China's Mars Mission, Tianwen-1, Begins Its Monthslong Journey". The New York Times.
23. ^ Jones, Andrew (29 April 2021). "China launches Tianhe space station core module into orbit". SpaceNews. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
24. ^ Wall, Mike (29 May 2021). "China launches new cargo ship to Tianhe space station module". Space.com. Retrieved 5 June 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* "The Fourth Launch Infrastructure for the Long March-2E, Long March-3/3A/3B, and Long March-5 Launch Site Finally Identified". Retrieved 12 January 2014.
* "China Mulls New Southern Space Port". Retrieved 12 January 2014.
* Hainan Space Center
* "Hainan Satellite Launch Center Registered with the Central Military Commission of the State Council 海南文昌卫星发射中心已申报国务院中央军委" (in Chinese). China.com. Retrieved 12 January 2014.

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* Wenchang
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Launch vehicles|

* Long March 1
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* Long March 3A
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* Long March 5
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| Planetary science|

* Chang'e 1 (2007–09)
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* Yinghuo 1† (2011)
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* Chang'e 5-T1 (2014–present)
* Yutu rover (2013–2016)
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* DAMPE (2015–present)
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* Shenzhou 5
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* (List of Chinese astronauts)

Space laboratories and cargos|

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Tiangong space station modules|

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

Navigation|

* BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)

Telecommunications|

* Apstar Series (1994–present)
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* Queqiao (2018–present)
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* Tianlian I (2008–present)
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* Qianfan (2024–present)
* Queqiao 2 (2024–present)

Technology
demonstrators

* Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft (2020)
* FSW Program (1969–2006)
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Related|

* Lanyue Lunar Lander

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

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Chinese space facilities and organizations

Centers|

| Space cities|

* Dongfeng space city
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* 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
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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

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Ministries and agencies|

* China Ministry of Aerospace Industry
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* 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

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Chinese Lunar Exploration Program

* China National Space Administration
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Missions|

* Chang'e 1 (Oct 2007)
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* Yutu rover
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* 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

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Haikou (capital)

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Geography|

* Islands of Hainan
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* 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
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* Nanguo Metropolis Daily
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Transportation|

* Hainan Eastern Ring HSR
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Education|

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

Demographics|

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

Buildings and structures|

* Crown of Beauty Theatre
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* 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
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* Leiqiong/Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark
* Luobi Cave
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