Wenchang Satellite Launch Center
Encyclopedia
Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (WSLC), located near Wenchang
on the north-east coast of Hainan Island, is a former sub-orbital test center currently under upgrade. It is the fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport
) of the People's Republic of China
. It has been specially selected for its low latitude
, which is only 19 degrees north
of the equator, which will allow for a substantial increase in payload, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift Long March 5 booster currently under development.
Unlike the Space Centers on the mainland whose rail tracks are too narrow to transport the new five meter core boosters, Wenchang will use its sea port for deliveries. Initial launches of the CZ-5 booster from Wenchang were, as of early 2008, expected in 2014, one year after the intended commissioning of the Wenchang Center.
many times as it was considered too vulnerable to foreign attack. Following the end of the Cold War
and the easing of global tensions, new projects for its development were submitted.
To date, five launches have taken place from this center, starting in 1988 with the Zhinü-1 suborbital launch vehicle.
According to a report by China Central Television
(CCTV), the construction of the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center was officially approved by the State Council
and the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China
on September 22, 2007.
In late October 2007, the Mayor of Wenchang
City announced that 1200 hectares (2,965.3 acre) of land would be obtained for the center and more than 6,000 people, mostly from the villages of Longlou (龙楼, 19.652°N 110.963°E) and Dongjiao (东郊, 19.567°N 110.867°E) would be relocated as a consequence.
A subsequent article in November 2007 indicated that the actual launch site would be near Longlou, while a space-science theme park would be built near Dongjiao. Satellite photography of April, 2011 shows a new clearing 19.6139°N 110.9513°E near the beach that is consistent with artist's concept pictures of the CZ-5 launch pad that have been displayed in China.
Wenchang
Wenchang is a county-level city located in the north east of Hainan province, China. It was promoted from a county to a city on November 7, 1995, and had a population of 86,551 in 1999...
on the north-east coast of Hainan Island, is a former sub-orbital test center currently under upgrade. It is the fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport
Spaceport
A spaceport or cosmodrome is a site for launching spacecraft, by analogy with seaport for ships or airport for aircraft. The word spaceport, and even more so cosmodrome, has traditionally been used for sites capable of launching spacecraft into orbit around Earth or on interplanetary trajectories...
) of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. It has been specially selected for its low latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
, which is only 19 degrees north
19th parallel north
The 19th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 19 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, North America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean....
of the equator, which will allow for a substantial increase in payload, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift Long March 5 booster currently under development.
Unlike the Space Centers on the mainland whose rail tracks are too narrow to transport the new five meter core boosters, Wenchang will use its sea port for deliveries. Initial launches of the CZ-5 booster from Wenchang were, as of early 2008, expected in 2014, one year after the intended commissioning of the Wenchang Center.
History
Political considerations have postponed the construction of a large space center in HainanHainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
many times as it was considered too vulnerable to foreign attack. Following the end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
and the easing of global tensions, new projects for its development were submitted.
To date, five launches have taken place from this center, starting in 1988 with the Zhinü-1 suborbital launch vehicle.
According to a report by China Central Television
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
(CCTV), the construction of the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center was officially approved by the State Council
State Council of the People's Republic of China
The State Council of the People's Republic of China , which is largely synonymous with the Central People's Government after 1954, is the chief administrative authority of the People's Republic of China. It is chaired by the Premier and includes the heads of each governmental department and agency...
and the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
on September 22, 2007.
In late October 2007, the Mayor of Wenchang
Wenchang
Wenchang is a county-level city located in the north east of Hainan province, China. It was promoted from a county to a city on November 7, 1995, and had a population of 86,551 in 1999...
City announced that 1200 hectares (2,965.3 acre) of land would be obtained for the center and more than 6,000 people, mostly from the villages of Longlou (龙楼, 19.652°N 110.963°E) and Dongjiao (东郊, 19.567°N 110.867°E) would be relocated as a consequence.
A subsequent article in November 2007 indicated that the actual launch site would be near Longlou, while a space-science theme park would be built near Dongjiao. Satellite photography of April, 2011 shows a new clearing 19.6139°N 110.9513°E near the beach that is consistent with artist's concept pictures of the CZ-5 launch pad that have been displayed in China.
See also
- Chinese space programChinese space programThe space program of the People's Republic of China is directed by the China National Space Administration . Its technological roots can be traced back to the late 1950s, when the People's Republic began a rudimentary ballistic missile program in response to perceived American threats...
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch CenterJiuquan Satellite Launch CenterJiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility .The facility is part of Dongfeng Aerospace City , and is located in the Gobi desert, Ejin Banner , Alxa League , Inner Mongolia, situated about 1,600 km from Beijing.- History :It was founded in 1958,...
- Taiyuan Satellite Launch CenterTaiyuan Satellite Launch CenterThe Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center also known as Base 25 , is a People's Republic of China space and defence launch facility . It is situated in Kelan County, Xinzhou Prefecture, Shanxi Province and is the second of three launch sites having been founded in March 1966 and coming into full...
- Xichang Satellite Launch CenterXichang Satellite Launch CenterThe Xichang Satellite Launch Center also known as Base 27 , is a People’s Republic of China space vehicle launch facility approximately 64 km northwest of Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province....