Wenchang Space Launch Site
{{short description|Launch site}}{{More citations needed|date=July 2022}}
{{Distinguish|Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox launch pad
|name = Wenchang Space Launch Site
|image= Wenchang Space Launch Site 02.jpg
|caption =
|site =
|short =
|tlaunches = 37
|unknown =
|location = Wenchang, Hainan, China
|coordinates={{coord|19|36|52.17|N|110|57|4.08|E|display=title,inline}}
|operator = CASC
|pads = Two
| paddetails =
{{Infobox launch pad/pad
| designation = Launch Complex 1
| status = Active
| launches = 14
| first_launch = 3 November 2016
| first_details= Long March 5
| last_launch = 28 April 2025
| last_details = Long March 5B / SatNet LEO Group 03
| rockets = Long March 5
Long March 5B
}}
{{Infobox launch pad/pad
| designation = Launch Complex 2
| status = Active
| launches = 23
| first_launch = 25 June 2016
| first_details= Long March 7 / YZ-1A
| last_launch = 20 May 2025
| last_details = Long March 7A / ChinaSat 3B
| rockets = Long March 7
Long March 7A
Long March 8
Long March 8A
}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Wenchang Space Launch Site
| s = 文昌航天发射场
| t = 文昌航天發射場
| p = Wénchāng Hángtiān Fāshè Chǎng
| order = st
}}
{{geoGroup}}
The Wenchang Space Launch Site ({{lang-zh|文昌航天发射场|links=no}}{{Cite web |last1=Li |first1=Guoli |last2=Wang |first2=Ting |date=3 November 2016 |title="中国文昌航天发射场"获命名，基本满足卫星发射各种要求 |trans-title="China Wenchang Space Launch Site" was named, basically meeting various requirements for satellite launch |url=http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1554751 |website=The Paper.cn |language=zh}}{{Cite web |title=Moto Z | 海南文昌现场直击：长征五号发射！_专题_凤凰网 |url=http://v.ifeng.com/special/zzwhfs/ |url-status=dead |website=v.ifeng.com |access-date=3 November 2016 |archive-date=4 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010943/http://v.ifeng.com/special/zzwhfs/ }}) 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnsphoto.com/trssearch/ShowLibDetailTrs.asp?RecID=11795527|title=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)|language=zh|publisher=China Picture Network (中国新闻图片网)|date=April 29, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723124004/http://www.cnsphoto.com/trssearch/ShowLibDetailTrs.asp?RecID=11795527 |archive-date=July 23, 2011}} Unlike launch facilities on the mainland, Wenchang uses its seaport for deliveries.
The construction of the site was complete by October 2014.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Marcia |date=2014-10-20 |title=China's new Wenchang space launch site ready for action |url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/chinas-new-wenchang-space-launch-site-ready-for-action/ |access-date=2020-11-23 |website=spacepolicyonline.com}} The first launch took place on 25 June 2016.{{Cite web |last=Zhao |first=Lei |title=Next-gen Long March rocket takes record-breaking flight |url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-06/25/content_25853917.htm |website=China Daily.com.cn}} Due to construction delays, the initial launch of the CZ-5 booster from Wenchang, originally expected to start in 2014{{Cite web |date=4 March 2008 |title=China's New Carrier Rocket To Debut In 2014 |url=https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_New_Carrier_Rocket_To_Debut_In_2014_999.html |website=Space Daily}} was postponed and took place on 3 November 2016.{{cite web |date=2015-07-19 |title=Long March 5 |url=http://www.integratedspaceanalytics.org/cms/portal/long-march-5 |access-date=2016-02-23 |publisher=Integrated Space Analytics}} The CZ-5B (maximum payload to LEO) variant was expected to be completed circa 2018{{cite web|url=http://sinodefence.com/rocketry/changzheng-5/|title=Chang Zheng-5 (Long March-5) – SinoDefence |website=Sinodefence.com|access-date=2016-02-23|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703044121/http://sinodefence.com/rocketry/changzheng-5/|archive-date=2015-07-03}} 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{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-09/20/c_134642723.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924090014/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-09/20/c_134642723.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=China to rehearse new carrier rocket for lunar mission - Xinhua | English.news.cn|website=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2015-09-20|access-date=2016-02-23}} and was successfully launched on 23 November 2020.
Reasons for selection
= Location =
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.{{Cite web |title=Wenchang Satellite Launch Center |url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1nWXIZ5eKwcRp2i1sLULkHT7u9j0&hl=en_US |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Google My Maps}} 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 {{convert|10|km}} 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 =
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
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.{{cite web |date=September 22, 2007 |title=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) |url=http://news.sohu.com/20070922/n252300944.shtml |access-date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=Sohu |language=zh}}
In late October 2007, the Mayor of Wenchang announced the appropriation of {{convert|1200|ha}} of land for the center and the necessary relocation of more than 6,000 people, mostly from the villages of Longlou (龙楼, {{coord|19.652|N|110.963|E|name=Longlou village}}) and Dongjiao (东郊, {{coord|19.567|N|110.867|E|name=Dongjiao village}}).{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/29/content_6971942.htm|title=Six Thousand People to be Resettled to Make Way for New Space Launch Center|date=October 29, 2010|access-date=January 13, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327155703/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/29/content_6971942.htm|archive-date=March 27, 2012}}
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.{{Cite web |date=19 November 2007 |title=China Completes Enclosure Of Land For Fourth Satellite Launch Center |url=https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_Completes_Enclosure_Of_Land_For_Fourth_Satellite_Launch_Center_999.html |website=Space Daily}} Satellite photography taken during April 2011 shows a clearing {{coord|19.6139|N|110.9513|E|name=Possible new site of launch facility}} near the beach, likely for the CZ-5 launch pad.
Launch pads
Wenchang has two launch pads:{{Cite web |title=Wenchang |url=http://www.astronautix.com/w/wenchang.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=www.astronautix.com}}
- LC-101, designed for CZ-5 launches, including service structure and launch gantry, located at {{coord|19|36|52.17|N|110|57|4.08|E|display=inline|name=LC-101}}.{{cite web|last=David|first=Leonard|url=http://www.space.com/25323-china-new-spaceport-rocket-launches.html|title=China's New Spaceport to Launch Country's Largest Rocket Yet|website=Space.com|date=2014-04-02|access-date=2016-02-23}}{{Cite web |title=Wenchang LC101 |url=http://www.astronautix.com/w/wenchanglc101.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=www.astronautix.com}}
- LC-201, designed for CZ-7 launches, including service structure and launch gantry, located at {{coord|19.61836|110.95574|||||||display=inline|name=LC-201}}.{{cite web |date=2012-07-11 |title=More details on the Hainan Space Centre emerging – SinoDefence |url=http://sinodefence.com/2012/07/11/hainan-space-centre/ |access-date=2016-02-23 |website=Sino Defence.com}}{{Cite web |title=Wenchang LC201 |url=http://www.astronautix.com/w/wenchanglc201.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=www.astronautix.com}}
File:Launch of Tianhe Core Module (Cropped).jpg|CZ-5 launch, LC-101
File:CZ-7 launch from Wenchang.jpg|CZ-7 launch, LC-201
Launch history
The first launch was a Long March 7 which took place successfully on 25 June 2016.
On 3 November 2016, the Long March 5 rocket made its maiden flight from the launch site.{{cite web|title=Spaceflightnow launch schedule|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ |website=Spaceflightnow|access-date=20 October 2016}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0702/c90000-9235884.html|title=China to launch 2nd heavy-lift carrier rocket - People's Daily Online|website=en.people.cn}}{{Cite web |date=2 July 2017 |title=Chinese rocket fails after lift-off |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-40473471/chinese-rocket-launch-fails-one-hour-after-lift-off |website=BBC News}}
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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/science/mars-china-launch.html|title=China's Mars Mission, Tianwen-1, Begins Its Monthslong Journey|first1=Michael|last1=Roston|first2=Steven Lee|last2=Myers|newspaper=The New York Times |date=22 July 2020}}
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.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-tianhe-space-station-core-module-into-orbit/ |title=China launches Tianhe space station core module into orbit |publisher=SpaceNews |date=29 April 2021 |access-date=29 April 2021}}
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.{{cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |url=https://www.space.com/china-tianzhou-2-cargo-mission-launch |title=China launches new cargo ship to Tianhe space station module |publisher=Space.com |date=29 May 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021}}
File:Long March 5 rolling out at WSLS.jpg|CZ-5 (Y1) rollout, October 2016
File:长征五号遥二火箭转场.jpg|CZ-5 (Y2) rollout, 2017
File:Tianwen-1 launch 04 (cropped).jpg|Tianwen-1 launch, CZ-5 (Y4), 23 July 2020
File:Launch of Chang'e 5 02.png|Chang'e 5 launch, CZ-5 (Y5), 23 November 2020
File:Launch of Tianhe Core Module 2 (Cropped).jpg|Tianhe launch, CZ-5B (Y2), 29 April 2021
File:Wentian launched from Wenchang.jpg|Wentian launch, CZ-5B (Y3), 24 July 2022
File:Shijian-23 Pre-Launch.png|Shijian-23 launch, CZ-7A (Y4), 9 January 2023
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/sanya.htm|title=The Fourth Launch Infrastructure for the Long March-2E, Long March-3/3A/3B, and Long March-5 Launch Site Finally Identified|access-date=January 12, 2014}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_Mulls_New_Southern_Space_Port.html|title=China Mulls New Southern Space Port|access-date=January 12, 2014}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060614112447/http://astronautix.com/sites/haikou.htm Hainan Space Center]
- {{cite web|url=http://military.china.com/zh_cn/news/568/20060427/13278979.html|title=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|language=zh|publisher=China.com|access-date=January 12, 2014}}
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Category:Buildings and structures in Hainan
Category:Chinese space program facilities