Wenchang Satellite Launch Center

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (WSLC) (zh-cp|c=文昌卫星发射中心|p=Wénchāng Wèixīng Fāshè Zhōngxīn) located near Wenchang City coord |19.617|N|110.744|E| on the north-east coast of Hainan Island, is a former sub-orbital test center and 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 lowest latitude, only 19 degrees north of the equator, which would allow a substantial increase of payload mass, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Therefore, it will replace the obsolete Xichang Satellite Launch Center upon completion of upgrade works. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift CZ-5 booster currently under development. [cite web|url=http://www.cnsphoto.com/trssearch/ShowLibDetailTrs.asp?RecID=11795527|title=海南首次展出文昌航天发射场设计模型图|publisher=中国新闻图片网|date=April 29, 2008|accessdate=April 29|accessyear=2008] Rail tracks of inland Space Centers will not allow the delivery of the new 5 meters core boosters, which Wenchang will, as it is served by a sea port. 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. [ [http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_New_Carrier_Rocket_To_Debut_In_2014_999.html China's New Carrier Rocket To Debut In 2014] ]

History

Political considerations have postponed the construction of a large space center in the Hainan island many times, being too vulnerable to foreign attacks. It is only after the end of the Cold War that new projects for its development have been submitted. To date, five launches have taken place from this center, starting from 1988 with the Zhinu-1（“织女一号”火箭）suborbital launch vehicle. [cite web|url=http://kg.ftedu.gov.cn/UploadFile/20071249276584.ppt#7|title=中国的卫星发射场|publisher=丰台课改平台|date=December 4, 2007|accessdate=May 6|accessyear=2008]

According to the CCTV's report [ [http://news.sohu.com/20070922/n252300944.shtml China is going to construct the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center] ] on 22 September, 2007, the construction of the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center has been officially approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China.

In late October 2007, the Mayor of Wenchang City announced that 1,200 hectares would be obtained for the center and more than 6,000 people, mostly from the villages of Longlou (龙楼, coord|19.652|N|110.963|E|) and Dongjiao (东郊, coord|19.567|N|110.867|E|) would be relocated as a consequence. [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/29/content_6971942.htm Six Thousand People to be Resettled to Make Way for New Space Launch Center] ]

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. [ [http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_Completes_Enclosure_Of_Land_For_Fourth_Satellite_Launch_Center_999.html China Completes Enclosure Of Land For Fourth Satellite Launch Center] ] Comparison of satellite photography with a picture accompanying the article suggests that the launch site will be located near coord|19.68|N|111.01|E|, at the base of Point Tonggu.

Launch Pads

* Three launch pads should be built

ee also

*Space program of China
*Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
*Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
*Xichang Satellite Launch Center

References and Further reading

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/sanya.htm The Hainan Island Satellite Launching Center]
* [http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_Mulls_New_Southern_Space_Port.html China Mulls New Southern Space Port]
* [http://www.astronautix.com/sites/haikou.htm Hainan Space Center]
* [http://military.china.com/zh_cn/news/568/20060427/13278979.html Article of China.com]