Xichang Satellite Launch Center

Chinese satellite launch facility

Xichang Satellite Launch Center

The launch of Long March 3B Rocket, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China.

Location| Xichang, Liangshan, Sichuan
Coordinates| 28°14′45.66″N 102°1′35.60″E﻿ / ﻿28.2460167°N 102.0265556°E﻿ / 28.2460167; 102.0265556
Short name| XSLC
Operator| CASC
Total launches| 224[a]
Launch pad(s)| Three
| Launch Complex 2 launch history

Status| Active
Launches| 123
First launch| July 15, 1990
Long March 2E / Badr A & Aussat B-MFS
Last launch| April 27, 2025
Long March 3B/E / Tianlian II-05
Associated
rockets| Long March 2E
Long March 3A
Long March 3B
Long March 3C
Launch Complex 3 launch history

Status| Active
Launches| 94
First launch| January 29, 1984
Long March 3 / DFH-2 01
Last launch| April 10, 2025
Long March 3B / TJS-17
Associated
rockets| Long March 3
Long March 2C
Long March 3A
Long March 3B
Long March 3C
Long March 4C
Long March 2D
Long March 4B
Mobile Launcher Pad launch history

Status| Active
Launches| 7
First launch| May 29, 2020
Long March 11 / XJS-G & XJS-H
Last launch| December 4, 2024
Kuaizhou 1A / Haishao-1
Associated
rockets| Long March 11
Kuaizhou 1A
Xichang Satellite Launch Center

Simplified Chinese| 西昌卫星发射中心
Traditional Chinese| 西昌衛星發射中心
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Xīchāng Wèixīng Fāshè Zhōngxīn

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

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

The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center, is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan town [zh] (泽远镇), Mianning county, approximately 64 kilometers (40 mi) 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).[1][2]

The facility became operational in 1984 and is used to launch numerous civil, scientific, and military payloads annually.[3][4] 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.[5]

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.[6][7]

A 2007 test of an anti-satellite missile was launched from the center.

## History

[edit]

### China's first crewed space program

[edit]

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.[8]

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.[9]

### First Long March-2E carrier rocket

[edit]

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

[edit]

Main article: Intelsat 708

On February 15, 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the first new Long March 3B heavy carrier rocket carrying Intelsat 708 veered off course 22 seconds after launch, crashing 1200 meters away from the launch pad in a nearby mountain village, destroying 80 homes. According to the official report, six people died and 56 were injured.[10] The number of civilian deaths has been disputed, with estimates of the number of casualties as around a few hundred.[11][12]

### China's first successful ASAT test

[edit]

Main article: 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile 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 865 kilometers (537 mi), 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

[edit]

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.[13]

### First Long March-3C carrier rocket

[edit]

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).[14]

A new launch pad for next-generation rockets (such as Long March 8) is currently under construction, as of December 2019.[15]

## Facilities

[edit]

Xichang Satellite Launch Center launch complexes Xichang Satellite Launch Center diagram Map of the XSLC Technical Center Hotel for foreign engineers

### Launch Complexes

[edit]

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.[16]

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2), located at 28°14′44″N 102°01′36″E﻿ / ﻿28.24550°N 102.02678°E﻿ / 28.24550; 102.02678﻿ (Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2)), and used for launching Long March 2E, Long March 3A, Long March 3B[17][18] and Long March 3C rockets.

Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3), also known as LA-1, and located at 28°14′50″N 102°01′45″E﻿ / ﻿28.2471400°N 102.0291100°E﻿ / 28.2471400; 102.0291100﻿ (Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3)). 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.[19] Demolished and rebuilt again between 2013 and 2015.[failed verification]

Mobile Launcher Pad, is used by CASIC's Kuaizhou-1A rocket to launch from Xichang.

### Technical Center

[edit]

Map of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and its neighborhood

XSLC's Technical Center is equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. Its Mission Command and Control Center is located 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) 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 50 kilometers (31 mi) away from the launch site. Two launch complexes at the facility support flight operations.[20]

### Residential Area

[edit]

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[21]
* Space park[21]

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.[21][12]

On the 15th of February of 1996, The Long March 3B carrying Intelsat 708 crashed into a hillside infront of the Coordination Building and right next to the main gate of the launch center.[21]

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.[11][21] Several villages and small towns, such as Mayelin, still exist near XSLC.

## Launches

[edit]

### Previously launches

[edit]

Date  | Vehicle  | Serial number  | Launch Pad  | Payload  | Outcome  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

29 January 1984 12:25 UTC  | Long March 3 | Y1  | LC-3  | STTW 1 | Partial Failure  |

### Recent launches

[edit]

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 | Success  |

### Upcoming launches

[edit]

Date  | Vehicle  | Serial number  | Launch Pad  | Payload  | Outcome  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

7 May 2024  | Long March 3B/E  | 3B-Y  | LC-2  | Shiyan 10-03 | Planned  |
2024  | Long March 3B/E  | 3B-Y  |  | Gaofen 15 | Planned  |
2024  | Long March 3B/E  | 3B-Y  |  | Tiantong-1 04 | Planned  |
2024  | Long March 3B/E  | 3B-Y  |  | BeiDou-3 G5 | Planned  |
2024  | Long March 3B/E  | 3B-Y  |  | Tianhui-3  | Planned  |

## See also

[edit]

* Spaceflight portal

* Chinese space program
* Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
* Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
* Wenchang Satellite Launch Center

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ In addition to the launches carried out from LA-2 and LA-3, 7 more launches of small-lift launch vehicles (Long March 11 and Kuaizhou 1A) have been performed in a undesignated area.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "文昌航天科普中心". wchtztly.runca.cn. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
2. ^ "中华民国国庆 解放军或将发射火箭？". Radio Free Asia (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
3. ^ Weitering, Hanneke (March 24, 2020). "China's Long March 2C rocket launches military surveillance satellites into orbit". Space.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
4. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (March 12, 2020). "China's new navigation system is nearly complete with penultimate Beidou satellite launch". Space.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
5. ^ "Dongfanghong IV ready for more int'l satellite orders". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008.
6. ^ "China launches new Beidou satellites, rocket booster lands near house". December 26, 2023.
7. ^ "Video: People run for cover as part of Chinese rocket explodes in residential area". WION. June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
8. ^ Meyskens, Covell F. (2020). Mao's Third Front: The Militarization of Cold War China. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. pp. 4, 218. doi:10.1017/9781108784788. ISBN 978-1-108-78478-8. OCLC 1145096137. S2CID 218936313.
9. ^ "百人大厅静得能听见掉下一根针" (in Chinese). Shanghai Morning Post. October 22, 2007. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
10. ^ "96年火箭发射失控爆炸全过程" (in Chinese). 大旗网. September 15, 2007. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
11. ^ a b Zak, Anatoly (February 2013). "Disaster at Xichang". Air & Space Magazine. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013. (Article on the crash of a rocket carrying a commercial payload on February 15, 1996)
12. ^ a b "The Space Review: Mist around the CZ-3B disaster (Part 1)". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
13. ^ "China's 1st moon orbiter enters Earth orbit". Xinhua News Agency. October 24, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2007.
14. ^ "我国首颗中继卫星发射成功 将测控神七飞行" (in Chinese). 人民网. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2008.
15. ^ Jones, Andrew (December 20, 2019). "China creates commercial space alliance, expands launch complex". SpaceNews. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
16. ^ "Xichang Satellite Launch Centre". SinoDefence.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
17. ^ "China launches French-built satellite". Xinhua News Agency. June 9, 2008. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008.
18. ^ "Long March 3B rocket launches Chinasat-9 satellite". Mister-Info.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
19. ^ "西昌卫星发射中心重建发射塔为登月作准备" (in Chinese). 人民网. September 19, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
20. ^ Profile of Xichang Satellite Launch Center Archived February 1, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, GlobalSecurity.org.
21. ^ a b c d e "The Space Review: Mist around the CZ-3B disaster (part 2)". www.thespacereview.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

* Aerial Maps from Google Maps
* Xichang: An important base for China's space dream \- YouTube, 2019
* Xichang Space Launch Center \- YouTube, 2014

28°14′45.66″N 102°1′35.60″E﻿ / ﻿28.2460167°N 102.0265556°E﻿ / 28.2460167; 102.0265556

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Spaceports

Active|

| Asia|

* Chinese government: CNSA
* Jiuquan
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* Wenchang
* Xichang
* Chinese private launches: HICAL (Wenchang Commercial)
* India: ISRO
* Satish Dhawan
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Oceania|

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South America|

* Brazil: FAB / AEB
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International waters|

* Sea Launch

Proposed|

* Canada: Canso
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* Oita
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* Sweden: Spaceport Sweden
* United Kingdom: Sutherland spaceport
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* Cecil
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Historical|

* Algeria / France:
* CIEES
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* Canada: Churchill
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* China: Guangde
* Nanhui
* Nazi Germany: Blizna
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* USA: Edwards
* WSSH

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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)
* Solar Polar Orbit Observatory (2029)
* 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 launch complexes

Jiuquan (JSLC)|

* LA-2
* LA-3
* LA-4 (SLS)

Taiyuan (TSLC)|

* LC-1
* LC-2

Wenchang (WSLC)|

* Planned: Three CZ-5 launch pad

Xichang (XSLC)|

* LA-1 (original)
* LA-1 (1990s)
* LA-2
* LA-3

* 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

Authority control databases |

* ISNI

|

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