Wenchang Space Launch Site [WSLS] | Hainan Commercial Spaceport [HCS]

[Satori]

China is going to build a 4th satellite launch center. See here: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/06/content_5705606.htm

[sammie]

Im still a bit sceptic about this, I know that plans to build a spacecentre at Hainan for quite some time, but I considered those plans shelved now that China is not competiting anymore in the commercial GTO market. Hainan is not the most hospitable climate and there are quite some minority issues that could delay things. But we'll see what happens...

[quicker625]

I wish hainan will succeed~

[edkyle99]

sammie - 9/2/2007  10:44 AM

Im still a bit sceptic about this, I know that plans to build a spacecentre at Hainan for quite some time, but I considered those plans shelved now that China is not competiting anymore in the commercial GTO market. Hainan is not the most hospitable climate and there are quite some minority issues that could delay things. But we'll see what happens...

My guess is that Hainan could eventually replace XiChang.

China's GTO launchers are busy enough now launching that nation's own navsats, weathersats, comsats, etc. - and the launch rates are increasing.  XiChang has proven to be a risky place from which to conduct launches.  Some people believe that the world's worst space disaster happened there in 1996 when a Long March slammed into a populated village.  China officially reported that dozens of civilians were killed or injured in the accident, but payload personnel who saw the scene thought that the toll must have been higher.  



 - Ed Kyle

[tappa]

More info here China plans fourth space launch centre  

Why does China need 4 space launch sites?

[Satori]

tappa - 24/9/2007  3:40 AM

More info here China plans fourth space launch centre  

Why does China need 4 space launch sites?

Some answers in this thread 'Hainan - Wenchang, the 4th chinese launch center'!

[annu]

This is a different querry.

Does anyone here knows where is the Chinese Ground station for downloading Remote Sensing data?

[tappa]

Thanks Rui, sorry I missed the previous thread.

[kraisee]

The coastal location near the city of Wenchang offers the option to be able to launch either Easterly or Polar launches out into considerable bodies of water - this is a major benefit regarding safety in case of accidents.

The interesting question I'd like an answer to is *what* exactly are they planning to launch from there?   Existing launchers or something new?

Ross.

[MartianBase]

The island Hainan is nearer the equator, it would give payload boost and be better situated for geostationary launches.

Hainan is also where the US-spy plane incident took place and its monsoonal climate could become a problem for launches.

With over 1 Billion people one of China's big problems is over-population. With only a few million Hainan is one of China's least populated areas, so fallout from a failed launch will be much less of a problem.


Five launches have already taken place from this Hainan center, some analysts speculate China might be preparing the center for a future Heavy lift vehicle. Perhaps the first colonists on Mars will be speaking Chinese ?

[khallow]

I seem to recall that they were planning to launch the CZ-5 out of Wenchang. Ah, it was a Wikipedia blurb:

Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift CZ-5 booster currently under development. 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.

So Wikipedia says, so it must be.

[Satori]

From Xinhua, Six thousand people to be resettled to make way for new space launch center.

[edkyle99]

khallow - 14/10/2007  2:42 PM

I seem to recall that they were planning to launch the CZ-5 out of Wenchang. Ah, it was a Wikipedia blurb:

Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift CZ-5 booster currently under development. 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.

So Wikipedia says, so it must be.

Here it is from a more "official" source, Xinhua.

"The Long March 5 rockets will lift off from a new space launch center in Wenchang, in the southern island province of Hainan. The new center, the fourth in China, is expected to be completed in 2012 and formally put into use in 2013."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/31/content_6984931.htm

 - Ed Kyle

[CFE]

I'm wondering about what trajectories are available for high-inclination launches out of Wenchang.  Ideally, you'd want to launch to the southwest, but that would take you over Southeast Asia (hmm, something sounds familiar about China dropping rockets over Vietnam.)  You've got a clear shot to the southeast, though.

[hesidu]

No, Vietnum is at southwest of Hainan,Wenchang. If Wenchang launch GTO or LEO satellites, it will shut to the southeast. So there will be no chance that the rockets will drop over Vietnam. For SSO satellites, they still will be launched in Taiyuan. Until now, there is no heavy SSO payloads for CZ-5.

[Satori]

From Xinhua, China completes enclosure of land for fourth satellite launch center.

[Satori]

From Xinhua, Chinese taikonaut dismisses environment worries about new space launch center.

[Jirka Dlouhy]

I think, that Hainan space launch center is necessary, because CZ-5 launchers are strongly heavier than f.e. CZ-3B. Using of this launchers from XiChang is very dangerous.

[Jirka Dlouhy]

CZ-5 Space Launch Vehicle

PROGRAMME

Designed and developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the ChangZheng-5 (CZ-5, or Long March-5) is China's next generation space launch vehicle family, which would include a range of classes of launch vehicles for different missions. The CZ-5 project was announced in February 2001, with the initial development officially begining in 2002. China hopes that the CZ-5 would fulfill the requirement for large paylaod LEO and GEO missions in the next 20~30 years, with the first versions of the vehicle going into service by 2008. Chief Designer for the CZ-5 is Long Lehao.

 
The CZ-5 family: ( From left to right) 2.25m diameter launch vehicle; 3.35m diameter launch vehicle (without and with strap-on stages); 5.0m diameter launch vehicle (without and with strap-on stages).

According to the reports, the CZ-5 family will include three primary modular core stages of 2.25 m, 3.35 m and 5.0 m diameter. Boosters of various capabilities would be assembled from three modular core stages and strap-on stages. These would be powered by 1,200 kN thrust LOX/Kerosene engines or 500 kN thrust LOX/LH2 engines.

The CZ-5 series can deliver 1.5 t~25 t payload to LEO, or 1.5 t~14 t payload to GEO. This would replace the CZ-2, CZ-3, and CZ-4 series in service, as well as providing the new capabilities which are not possessed by the current CZ family. The heaviest configuration of the CZ-5 with 5.0 m diameter core stage and four 3.35 m diameter strap-on boosters will be able to send 25 t payload to the low earth orbit, being comparable to the ESA's Ariane 5.

[Satori]

From Xinhua, Official: China kicks off new space launch center project.

[Satori]

From People's Daily, Construction of Wenchang launch center to begin.

[Satori]

From Xinhua, New space launch center to be built in China's southernmost Hainan.

[Satori]

From People's Daily, China's heavy-duty carrier rocket base to be finished in 2012.

[wbhh]

national ZiWu project will share resource with Wenchang launch center
http://www.meridianproject.ac.cn/

[Satori]

From Xinhua, China begins space center construction in southern island of Hainan.

Backgrounder: China's four space launch bases.

[Satori]

From China Daily via People's Daily, Space center takes giant leap forward.

[Satori]

From Xinhua, China's 4th Satellite Launch Center to be Built in Hainan.

[summit2]

Following chinese articles, here is what I find with google hearth ... looks like a launch pad 2K ... maybe ....

[Satori]

A new thread dedicated the Hainan Satellite Launch Center where we can have informations, pictures, maps and the history of this Chinese space complex.

[input~2]

AFAIU, the full name is Hainan Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, the short form is Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (WSLC)

[Satori]

AFAIU, the full name is Hainan Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, the short form is Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (WSLC)

Ok, changing the threads title.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Some latest photos by Worldview 1 taken on January 19th seems to show that WSLC will feature two VABs and two launch pads, although the resolution is too low to show the details...

[ChileVerde]

Some latest photos by Worldview 1 taken on January 19th seems to show that WSLC will feature two VABs and two launch pads, although the resolution is too low to show the details...

Could you provide an English version of the captions, please?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Some latest photos by Worldview 1 taken on January 19th seems to show that WSLC will feature two VABs and two launch pads, although the resolution is too low to show the details...

Could you provide an English version of the captions, please?

Here you go (note that the identifications are merely speculation between forum members on a Chinese aerospace forum).

[Phillip Clark]

If there are indeed two CZ-5 VABs then I wonder how many vehicles each VAB could accomodate at once?   Maybe four simultaneous assemblies?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

If there are indeed two CZ-5 VABs then I wonder how many vehicles each VAB could accomodate at once?   Maybe four simultaneous assemblies?

The big question is whether the CZ-7 series will be launched from WSLC? So far I have not seen a clear answer (even from Chinese soruces).

P.S. The Chinese have little problem with YF-100, their next generation kerolox engine (it's already doing gimballing and acceptance tests right now), but their "half-a-Vulcain" YF-77 engine for the CZ-5 is seriously behind schedule. This, plus that the Chinese has only just completed a prototype for the 5 meter diameter hydrogen fuel tank, means that first launch in 2015 will be hard to hit. And the CZ-7 does not seems to be a priority right now....

[ChileVerde]

If there are indeed two CZ-5 VABs then I wonder how many vehicles each VAB could accomodate at once?   Maybe four simultaneous assemblies?

The big question is whether the CZ-7 series will be launched from WSLC? So far I have not seen a clear answer (even from Chinese soruces).

P.S. The Chinese have little problem with YF-100, their next generation kerolox engine (it's already doing gimballing and acceptance tests right now), but their "half-a-Vulcain" YF-77 engine for the CZ-5 is seriously behind schedule. This, plus that the Chinese has only just completed a prototype for the 5 meter diameter hydrogen fuel tank, means that first launch in 2015 will be hard to hit. And the CZ-7 does not seems to be a priority right now....

Very interesting.

Just for the record, this showed up this morning:

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/02/05/2821s679220.htm

China's New Rockets Expected to Debut Within Five Years
2012-02-05 21:32:25   
Xinhua     
Web Editor: liuranran

China's new generations of the Long March rocket family, Long March-5, -6 and -7 are expected to make their maiden flights in the next five years, a rocket scientist [, Yu Menglun,] has said.

[snip]

Long March-5 rocket will be using non-toxic and pollution-free propellant. It has a maximum low Earth-orbit payload capacity of 25 tonnes and geosynchronous orbit payload capacity of 14 tonnes.

The Long March-6, which is designed to be a high-speed response launch vehicle, has a minimum of 1 tonne of sun-synchronous orbit payload, according to the scientist.

The Long March-7 has a maximum low Earth-orbit payload capacity of 13.5 tonnes and 5.5 tonnes of sun-synchronous orbit payload, he said.

[snip]

Currently, a fourth launch center is being built in Wenchang in the island province of Hainan. The Wenchang launch center is expected to be put into use within two or three years, according to Yu.

I would like to see some discussion of the requirements that led to the LM-6.  To my eye it looks military, but that's probably just me.

[edkyle99]

Some latest photos by Worldview 1 taken on January 19th seems to show that WSLC will feature two VABs and two launch pads, although the resolution is too low to show the details...

Could you provide an English version of the captions, please?

Here you go (note that the identifications are merely speculation between forum members on a Chinese aerospace forum).

I would not be ready to immediately interpret the image as showing sites for "two VABs".  The diverging path might lead to a parking/service area for mobile launch platforms, for example.  Or it might run to a payload preparation facility.  Etc.  Two completely separate vertical assembly buildings doesn't make sense to me, given the dual high-bay setup at Jiuquan.  Also note that Jiuquan has separate road and rail rights of way running toward the pad areas from different directions. 

 - Ed Kyle

[ChileVerde]

I would not be ready to immediately interpret the image as showing sites for "two VABs".  The diverging path might lead to a parking/service area for mobile launch platforms, for example.  Or it might run to a payload preparation facility.  Etc.  Two completely separate vertical assembly buildings doesn't make sense to me, given the dual high-bay setup at Jiuquan.  Also note that Jiuquan has separate road and rail rights of way running toward the pad areas from different directions. 

 - Ed Kyle

Does anybody know how much it would cost to buy the high-resolution image from DigitalGlobe?

[ChileVerde]

Some latest photos by Worldview 1 taken on January 19th seems to show that WSLC will feature two VABs and two launch pads, although the resolution is too low to show the details...

I thought I'd posted this earlier, but don't find it now. At any rate, it's another browse image taken on 5 June 2011. There seems to have been a fair amount of change between then and the Jan 19 image.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Recent photos of the construction site (credit: cruelworm@9ifly):

[ChileVerde]

Recent photos of the construction site (credit: cruelworm@9ifly):

Translations, por favor.  Also, the X= and Y= in the fourth picture look like they might some sort of geodetic coordinates; are they, and if so, what kind?

And most important of all, what are the good restaurants in the area?  I don't rule out a trip to Hainan once the CZ-5 starts flying.

[vulture4]

The single path splitting at both ends on the photo is very similar to the existing MLP track layout at Jiuquan's South Launch Site 1. At one end the VAB has two bays; at the other there are two launch pads.  A simple and logical arrangement.

Translations (with kind help of Chinese friends)
VAB and launch pad photo labels, top to bottom:

1. Long March 5 assembly building 1
2. Long March 5 assembly building 2
3. Transfer route
4. Launch Complex 1
5. Launch Complex 2

Posts beside road:

Left Post:                                      Right post:
"Restricted area - military base"        "Army construction area"

Sign with numbers:
"Construction Company"
"078 Project number 802"

On plans: "Not for construction" or "Draft only"

[ChileVerde]

1. Long March 5 assembly building 1
2. Long March 5 assembly building 2
3. Transfer route
4. Launch Complex 1
5. Launch Complex 2

A somewhat belated thanks for the translations.  It seems to me that the most significant parts are the numbers "1" and "2".  Are those signs that some sort of campaign requiring multiple -- or at least two --  launches is contemplated, rather than a series of essentially independent launches?

[byxiao]

1. Long March 5 assembly building 1
2. Long March 5 assembly building 2
3. Transfer route
4. Launch Complex 1
5. Launch Complex 2

A somewhat belated thanks for the translations.  It seems to me that the most significant parts are the numbers "1" and "2".  Are those signs that some sort of campaign requiring multiple -- or at least two --  launches is contemplated, rather than a series of essentially independent launches?

It's a backup, in fact ,for every mission, they made two spacecrafts, when one failed, they use another as soon as possible, but after launching, launch pad normally need maintenance, so shift to another one.

[vulture4]

1. Long March 5 assembly building 1
2. Long March 5 assembly building 2
3. Transfer route
4. Launch Complex 1
5. Launch Complex 2

A somewhat belated thanks for the translations.  It seems to me that the most significant parts are the numbers "1" and "2".  Are those signs that some sort of campaign requiring multiple -- or at least two --  launches is contemplated, rather than a series of essentially independent launches?

It's a backup, in fact ,for every mission, they made two spacecrafts, when one failed, they use another as soon as possible, but after launching, launch pad normally need maintenance, so shift to another one.

Similarly most US pads were duplicates (Delta II, Titan, Shuttle, Atlas) .for backup, maintenance outages and for surge capacity. This changed with Falcon, Atlas V and Delta IV, partly because the on-pad processing and turnaround times and maintenance requirements are lower and partly because there is less need for very high launch rates. China has a backup pad for the LM-2F/G at Jiuquan but notably it was used only for unmanned launches and was apparently not man-rated.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

I've got some VERY interesting photos of the construction site at WSLC (from http://www.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=38&pid=210181&fromuid=19646), which pretty much confirms the layout of the launch site:

- Two launch pads, apparently one for the CZ-5 and one for the CZ-7. Both pads features a fixed service tower (the one on the bigger pad reaches a height of 91 meters!) with rotating service platforms and a deep flame trench (22 meters deep for the bigger pad)
-TWO VIFs, one for the CZ-5 and one for the CZ-7. The two are linked together by a horizontal "low bay" for rocket storage.
-The spacecraft processing and launch control facilities are just west of the VIBs.
-Construction of the pads and facilities are in full swing, merely 3 years after the construction officially started (2009-09-14). The flame trench is more or less complete, and the service towers are being pieced together.

Photos 1-15 are from the CZ-5 pad site, photos 16-20 are from the CZ-7 pad site.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

An annotated version of photo 6, which shows the facilities of the launch site.

Interestingly the two new tracking stations are located at Tongguling (15 km east of WSLC) and on the Paracel Islands ( ) ...

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Turns out that Bing Maps has clear aerial photos of the future launch site: go to 19°38′N 110°57′E, select aerial mode, and you can see the completed flame trench of the two future launch pads and the construction site of the VIF complex.

[ChileVerde]

- Two launch pads, apparently one for the CZ-5 and one for the CZ-7. Both pads features a fixed service tower (the one on the bigger pad reaches a height of 91 meters!) with rotating service platforms and a deep flame trench (22 meters deep for the bigger pad)

Once more, thanks! 

The CZ-5, according to the Source of All Wisdom, Wikipedia, will be only a bit over 60 meters tall.  So is the pad being built with the idea of accommodating CZ-9 or other BFR, should they appear? Does the size of the flame trench provide any clues as to the maximum thrust at lift-off the pad can handle?

[vulture4]

It looks like the mobile launch platform in the conceptual drawing on the poster runs on tires rather than rails; similar to LC-39 but an unusual choice for such a heavy load. Also the LV in the artist's concept on the display poster appears to be a CZ-7, the medium lift Kerosene/LOX rocket which will be more or less a direct replacement for the CZ-2 and its highly toxic UDMH/N2O2 propellants, and will presumably be the primary LV for the Shenzou.

So apparently there is one assembly building and one pad for the CZ-5 and one set for the CZ-7, and for the moment human launch will probably use only the CZ-7. Has anything been said about when it will be operational?

[ChileVerde]

I just checked out the DigitalGlobe browse images of the Wenchang center and found one taken by QuickBird 2 on 24 October 2012. At the browse resolution, not much change is seen at the launch site itself, but there seems to have been major road construction on the peninsula to the northeast.  Perhaps associated with the intended tourist industry. Image attached, with another QB02 of 5 June 2011 for comparison.

[russianhalo117]

I just checked out the DigitalGlobe browse images of the Wenchang center and found one taken by QuickBird 2 on 24 October 2012. At the browse resolution, not much change is seen at the launch site itself, but there seems to have been major road construction on the peninsula to the northeast.  Perhaps associated with the intended tourist industry. Image attached, with another QB02 of 5 June 2011 for comparison.

I heard that port is planned for the area. No mention was made though as to what entity plans to use it one its built.

[ChileVerde]

I heard that port is planned for the area. No mention was made though as to what entity plans to use it one its built.

As I understand it, the CZ-5 stages are supposed to be shipped by sea to the Wenchang center from the Tianjin rocket factory.

[Mighty-T]

... from the Tianjin rocket factory.

I'm not sure if it fits this thread, but do we have google maps coordinates for the Tianjin factory?

Thanks!

[ChileVerde]

... from the Tianjin rocket factory.

I'm not sure if it fits this thread, but do we have google maps coordinates for the Tianjin factory?

Thanks!

An interesting question. It's in the Binhai New Area, and there are several big buildings there that might be it.  I'll see if it can be located more accurately. Somewhere around 39.0 N, 117.7 E, I'd guess.

[limen4]

China philatelic websites (see e.g. http://spaceship781.blog.163.com/blog/static/29293097201211261015956/) report that a special souvenir was issued to commemorate the launch of the first rocket carrier ship named Yuanwang-21. The ceremony was held at the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard on Changxing Island. 

[ChileVerde]

Vehicle Assembly Building in Wenchang

I didn't see those pictures until just now; thanks a lot for posting them.  It would appear that the launch center is on its way to meet the 2014 IOC date.

[ChileVerde]

... from the Tianjin rocket factory.

I'm not sure if it fits this thread, but do we have google maps coordinates for the Tianjin factory?

Thanks!

An interesting question. It's in the Binhai New Area, and there are several big buildings there that might be it.  I'll see if it can be located more accurately. Somewhere around 39.0 N, 117.7 E, I'd guess.

After initial failure and holiday interruptions, I remembered to return to this question.  After an inordinate amount of googling, it turned up that the New/Next Generation Rocket Industrial Base (or several other similar names) is in an economic development area of Tianjin called TEDA West.

Represented by "new generation space vehicle", Aviation industry is located in the northwest group of TEDA West, where to the east is Zhongxin Zhuang Road, to the west is Hangang Road, to the north is Yangbei Road, and to the south is Nanbei Avenue and Jigang Railway. The planned construction area of the project is about 500,000 sq.m.

Wikimapia kindly provides a map showing TEDA West and, going there, there's a recently constructed group of large industrial buildings at 39.072 N, 117.513 E.

I'm fairly sure this is the CZ-5 rocket factory, but could certainly do with a sanity check should any of the readership wish to provide one.

BTW, different sources give areas of the project ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 square kilometers.

Edit: Tidied up TEDA_West image

[Liss]

After initial failure and holiday interruptions, I remembered to return to this question.  After an inordinate amount of googling, it turned up that the New/Next Generation Rocket Industrial Base (or several other similar names) is in an economic development area of Tianjin called TEDA West.

Represented by "new generation space vehicle", Aviation industry is located in the northwest group of TEDA West, where to the east is Zhongxin Zhuang Road, to the west is Hangang Road, to the north is Yangbei Road, and to the south is Nanbei Avenue and Jigang Railway. The planned construction area of the project is about 500,000 sq.m.

Wikimapia kindly provides a map showing TEDA West and, going there, there's a recently constructed group of large industrial buildings at 39.072 N, 117.513 E.

I'm fairly sure this is the CZ-5 rocket factory, but could certainly do with a sanity check should any of the readership wish to provide one.

Wikimapia says that the large industrial complex at 39.0774 N 117.5134 is the Great Wall Automotive company Tianjing Subsidiary, and the track in the eastern part of it seems to be nice for car races.

4: The vertical acoustic vibration tower at Tianjin

I believe Google Earth shows this under construction in August 2011 at 39.1029 N, 117.5011 E.

This is much more close in my opinion. In maps.google.com and panoramio there are several images for the area, some described as just Tianjin Binhai New Area and others as China Aerospace Long March rocket manufacturing base:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26160663
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26160715
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26160693

[ChileVerde]

I believe Google Earth shows this under construction in August 2011 at 39.1029 N, 117.5011 E.

This is much more close in my opinion. In maps.google.com and panoramio there are several images for the area, some described as just Tianjin Binhai New Area and others as China Aerospace Long March rocket manufacturing base:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26160663
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26160715
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/26160693

Thanks indeed -- sanity checks are always worth having.  So it's just the part north of the automotive complex where the rockets are being built? (See attachment.)

Edit: Though not totally unrelated to the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, this is starting to look like it needs a separate thread. If The Powers That Moderate could do that, it might be a good idea.

[ChileVerde]

Looks like everything is on schedule for starting CZ-5 operations next year.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-01/30/content_16185756.htm


Satellite center to put Wenchang on the map
Updated: 2013-01-30 04:12
By HUANG YIMING and WANG QIAN in Haikou ( China Daily)


The construction of the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan province, from where China will launch new-generation carrier rockets and future space station modules, is expected to be completed in June, the province's economic planner said.

By the end of this year, the launch center, the fourth in China, will be ready for launching carrier rockets, according to a report released by the Hainan Development and Reform Commission during the ongoing annual session of the provincial people's congress.

Hainan plans to invest nearly 3.3 billion yuan ($530 million) this year into construction of the center and relevant facilities, including a space theme park and nearby infrastructure, the report said.

Of the 3.3 billion yuan, 2.5 billion will be used for the center's construction, the report said.

Pei Chengmin, Party chief of Wenchang, said the center will host its first launch in 2014.

The center will include a launch pad, a rocket assembly plant and a command center.

The Long March-5 launch vehicle designed for transporting heavyweight satellites and space station modules, as well as the Long March-7 rocket designed for launching cargo spacecraft, are expected to blast off from the center in 2014, the Beijing Morning Post quoted Liang Xiaohong, deputy director of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology on Saturday during the annual session of the Beijing municipal people's congress.

<snip>

Besides the launch center, a space theme park and a space research center are also under construction, according to Pei.

He said the construction of the first phase of the park is likely to be finished in 2014, about the same time the center sees its first launch.

The park will give visitors a tram tour of rocket launch pads and offer space-travel attractions, such as a moon-themed train ride and cosmos-themed roller coaster. The park's interplanetary section will be divided into four themed areas — Earth, Lunar, Solar and Martian.

<snip>

[limen4]

China philatelic websites (see e.g. http://spaceship781.blog.163.com/blog/static/29293097201211261015956/) report that a special souvenir was issued to commemorate the launch of the first rocket carrier ship named Yuanwang-21. The ceremony was held at the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard on Changxing Island. 

... and the second WSLC supply vessel Yuanwang-22 followed on January 24th.

[Liss]

http://www.ecns.cn/2013/03-03/52238.shtml

China's fourth launch center, located in tropical island province of Hainan, will be ready for space launch in two years, said a member of China's top political advisory body.

The launch center, which has been under construction since 2009, will be able to launch space station capsules and cargo ships, Zhou Jianping, designer-in-chief of China's manned space program, told Xinhua on Saturday.

The carrier rockets to be launched in the Hainan center include Long March-7 and Long March-5, said Zhou, a member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)...

The center will be mainly used for launching synchronous satellites, heavy satellites, large space stations, and deep space probe satellites. It is designed to handle up to 10-12 rocket launches a year.

[ChileVerde]

http://www.ecns.cn/2013/03-03/52238.shtml

China's fourth launch center, located in tropical island province of Hainan, will be ready for space launch in two years, said a member of China's top political advisory body.

The launch center, which has been under construction since 2009, will be able to launch space station capsules and cargo ships, Zhou Jianping, designer-in-chief of China's manned space program, told Xinhua on Saturday.

The carrier rockets to be launched in the Hainan center include Long March-7 and Long March-5, said Zhou, a member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)...

The center will be mainly used for launching synchronous satellites, heavy satellites, large space stations, and deep space probe satellites. It is designed to handle up to 10-12 rocket launches a year.

Probably best not to make too much of the single occurrence of a word, but it's interesting that "capsules" is used.  Can anybody find the Chinese version of the text and comment on that?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Lots of recent photos (since January) of the launch site under construction - seems to be right on schedule to support a launch next year.... 

(all photos collected by various forum members at http://bbs.9ifly.cn/thread-38-32-1.html)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[ChileVerde]

Lots of recent photos (since January) of the launch site under construction - seems to be right on schedule to support a launch next year.... 

Which will presumably be a CZ-7, the CZ-5 having slipped into 2015 because of manufacturing difficulties, no?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Lots of recent photos (since January) of the launch site under construction - seems to be right on schedule to support a launch next year.... 

Which will presumably be a CZ-7, the CZ-5 having slipped into 2015 because of manufacturing difficulties, no?

That's right, late 2014 is the target for CZ-7's first flight, and Wenchang is the launch site. See my post in the CZ-NGLV thread.

[ChileVerde]

That's right, late 2014 is the target for CZ-7's first flight, and Wenchang is the launch site. See my post in the CZ-NGLV thread.

Thank you. I often have trouble keeping track of threads.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The best model of the launch site I have seen so far:

[beidou]

Some recent pictures (with high resolution) of the construction sites.

http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=38&pid=257476&fromuid=24484

[ChileVerde]

Some recent pictures (with high resolution) of the construction sites.

http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=38&pid=257476&fromuid=24484

Sorry, I don't see the pictures there and, much to my regret, I failed to learn to read Chinese.  Is there something to click to see the photos?

[beidou]

Some recent pictures (with high resolution) of the construction sites.

http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=38&pid=257476&fromuid=24484

Sorry, I don't see the pictures there and, much to my regret, I failed to learn to read Chinese.  Is there something to click to see the photos?

The pictures are attached here. I used Google Translate to do all the dirty translation job.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

I think I will like the scenery at this spaceport very much when it opens. 

(the building in the first few photos is the LCC)

[beidou]

More pictures from http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=38&pid=257518&fromuid=24484

[Galactic Penguin SST]

LOTS of new photos of WSLC available since my last post (thanks to member hccccf at the 9ifly Chinese spaceflight and aviation forum for collecting them from various sources!). First up is a panorama of the launch center from the top of the pad 1 service tower:

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Various photos from the construction site:

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

From another (local) member at the forum, this is how the roads and bridges around the spaceport looks like (the bridge crosses through Wenchang port):

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The service towers at both pads and the twin vertical integration bays are now almost complete. The launch site looks more and more like a Chinese version of Kourou...... 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

WSLC_92 shows the nearby radar tracking station.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

And here's the inside of the rocket processing facilities. 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Last but not least, here's the current construction progress of the various pads, VIFs, LCCs, spacecraft processing facilities and even the future downrange tracking station at the Paracel Islands (WSLC_107).

If you want an overview of how WSLC looks like today, check out the location (19 deg. 38' N, 110 deg. 57' E) in Google Earth and use the historical imagery function to find satellite imagery taken on July 14 of this year! 

[fatjohn1408]

My guess is that Hainan could eventually replace XiChang.

China's GTO launchers are busy enough now launching that nation's own navsats, weathersats, comsats, etc. - and the launch rates are increasing.  XiChang has proven to be a risky place from which to conduct launches.  Some people believe that the world's worst space disaster happened there in 1996 when a Long March slammed into a populated village.  China officially reported that dozens of civilians were killed or injured in the accident, but payload personnel who saw the scene thought that the toll must have been higher. 



 - Ed Kyle

Well, that brings the minimum death toll to 24 (dozens) even by official reportings. Which disaster would have been worse than that?

[Kryten]

 The Nedelin incident killed at least 70 people, but it was a missile test, so it being a 'space disaster' is pretty arguable.

[Satori]

New satellite launch center to conduct joint drill.

[ximig]

Coordination Meeting of first launch of CZ-7 & Cargo Ship from W.C. Site

See
http://news.ifeng.com/a/20140507/40188526_0.shtml

waiting and see what will happens

[heinkel174]

Well, that brings the minimum death toll to 24 (dozens) even by official reportings. Which disaster would have been worse than that?

The official figure is 6 dead and 57 injured. There’s an excellent article on Space Review discussing the accident.

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2323/1

[luhai167]

Here is part 2 of the article

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2326/1

[JimO]

The official figure is 6 dead and 57 injured. ...

While at Baikonur in 1996  on a launch client inspection I talked with an American who was at the explosion and his impression was of massive destruction of non-evacuated areas.

Re 'worst', don't overlook 50 dead at Plesetsk in 1980. The argument of the blame for it is, unbelievably, still going on.

[beidou]

The two launch sites have been officially handed over to the launch center operator - Xi'chang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC). source: http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=13158&pid=311757&fromuid=24484

[russianhalo117]

Last but not least, here's the current construction progress of the various pads, VIFs, LCCs, spacecraft processing facilities and even the future downrange tracking station at the Paracel Islands (WSLC_107).

If you want an overview of how WSLC looks like today, check out the location (19 deg. 38' N, 110 deg. 57' E) in Google Earth and use the historical imagery function to find satellite imagery taken on July 14 of this year! 

Do we have any updated pictures for WSLC complexes??

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Last but not least, here's the current construction progress of the various pads, VIFs, LCCs, spacecraft processing facilities and even the future downrange tracking station at the Paracel Islands (WSLC_107).

If you want an overview of how WSLC looks like today, check out the location (19 deg. 38' N, 110 deg. 57' E) in Google Earth and use the historical imagery function to find satellite imagery taken on July 14 of this year! 

Do we have any updated pictures for WSLC complexes??

There are lots of them since last time and updates on ground infrastructure info too - I was going to make an update post for the past few months but never quite find enough power to do so. Let me see what I can do today.... 

[Kryten]

 Do we have any reports on damage, if any, from typhoon Rammasun?

[limen4]

Do we have any reports on damage, if any, from typhoon Rammasun?

Some images of the damaged liquid hydrogen manufacturing plant were released here http://www.sdy-cn.com/newInfo.asp?id=408

[Nighthawk]

Do we have any reports on damage, if any, from typhoon Rammasun?

Some images of the damaged liquid hydrogen manufacturing plant were released here http://www.sdy-cn.com/newInfo.asp?id=408

well actually the report (in Chinese) said that the liquid hydrogen device endured the blast while the damaged ones are only some temporary houses or structures...

[Websorber]

China completes construction of advanced space launch facility

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_completes_construction_of_advanced_space_launch_facility_999.html

[Lars-J]

New images (well taken 2 weeks ago) of Wenchang:
(spotted here: http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/strategic-defense/chinas-space-program-news-views-189-1143.html )

[anik]

Satellite photo of Wenchang facilities made on July 25, 2014.

[beidou]

The official Chinese name is "文昌航天发射中心", corresponding English translation should be "Wenchang Space Launch Center", not Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.

[Stan Black]

The official Chinese name is "文昌航天发射中心", corresponding English translation should be "Wenchang Space Launch Center", not Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.

Centre?

[beidou]

The official Chinese name is "文昌航天发射中心", corresponding English translation should be "Wenchang Space Launch Center", not Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.

Centre?

No, Center, not Centre.

[asdert]

Only if American English is correct and English English is not.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The official Chinese name is "文昌航天发射中心", corresponding English translation should be "Wenchang Space Launch Center", not Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.

I'm pretty sure that's not the name used by official Chinese media..... 

[limen4]

This image from the CBERS-4 launch video indicates, that the Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) Satellite Control Station, which was built in the wake of the WSLC construction is already on duty and supports (together with the Sanya Satellite Control Station) the CBERS-4 mission.

[Phillip Clark]

Does anyone know the co-ordinates of the actual and planned launch pads, please?

[Liss]

Does anyone know the co-ordinates of the actual and planned launch pads, please?

Wikimapia gives answers for the two existing pads within the address:
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=19.614596&lon=110.951164&z=16&m=b
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=19.618497&lon=110.955412&z=16&m=b

[anik]

Photos made on April 2, 2015.

[beidou]

The official name is "China Wenchang Space Launch Center".

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Well, we are suddenly probably below 10 days to first flight from there. Time for me to hurry up and make a short brief look back at the road to first flight that I have promised some time ago but never had the time to do so! 

So firstly, I found out that WSLC might just have un-throned the Cape as the launch site with the best accommodation worldwide. It turns out that there's a 5-star Hilton hotel merely 5 kilometers/3 miles from the two pads with a clear line of sight! That's as close as the Cape's pads from the NASA causeway!

[yaohua2000]

Well, we are suddenly probably below 10 days to first flight from there. Time for me to hurry up and make a short brief look back at the road to first flight that I have promised some time ago but never had the time to do so! 

So firstly, I found out that WSLC might just have un-throned the Cape as the launch site with the best accommodation worldwide. It turns out that there's a 5-star Hilton hotel merely 5 kilometers/3 miles from the two pads with a clear line of sight! That's as close as the Cape's pads from the NASA causeway!

Exactly. Here is my booking.

[Nordren]

Exactly. Here is my booking.

I hope you'll be providing a live stream of the launch

[baldusi]

Exactly. Here is my booking.

You know that means you have volunteered for being the online NSF representative, right? 

[linxiaoyi]

Well, we are suddenly probably below 10 days to first flight from there. Time for me to hurry up and make a short brief look back at the road to first flight that I have promised some time ago but never had the time to do so! 

So firstly, I found out that WSLC might just have un-throned the Cape as the launch site with the best accommodation worldwide. It turns out that there's a 5-star Hilton hotel merely 5 kilometers/3 miles from the two pads with a clear line of sight! That's as close as the Cape's pads from the NASA causeway!

Exactly. Here is my booking.

If only you can provide a stream on douyutv or bilibili

[the_other_Doug]

The location of the launch center so close to a tourist resort sounds like both a really great idea, and a "didn't they learn their lesson" thing.  I still recall that one Long March launch failure several years ago that destroyed a large block of flats -- while the residents were inside.

I know that block of flats was closer to the launch pad than this Hilton appears to be, but not that much.  I'd go to watch a launch, but there would be a touch of apprehension to it...

[baldusi]

If they now have a working FTS that should be no problem, specially if it is south-west of the pad.

[Phillip Clark]

Does anyone know the co-ordinates of the actual and planned launch pads, please?

Wikimapia gives answers for the two existing pads within the address:
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=19.614596&lon=110.951164&z=16&m=b
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=19.618497&lon=110.955412&z=16&m=b

Do we know which is Pad 101 and which is 201 please?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Does anyone know the co-ordinates of the actual and planned launch pads, please?

Wikimapia gives answers for the two existing pads within the address:
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=19.614596&lon=110.951164&z=16&m=b
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=19.618497&lon=110.955412&z=16&m=b

Do we know which is Pad 101 and which is 201 please?

101 for CZ-5 is straight south of the VIB and 201 for CZ-7 is to the northeast.

[GELORD]

China's rocket-carrying ships depart for transportation mission

NANJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's two rocket-carrying ships departed Saturday from a port in east China's Jiangsu Province on a transportation mission.

The two Yuanwang ships are China's first ships made exclusively to carry rockets. With a length of 130 meters, a width of 19 meters and a height of 37 meters, the ships have a displacement of 9,000 tonnes.

Each ship is equipped with two 120-tonne cranes that can hoist large rockets. The ship is also installed with a marine environment protection system and anti-vibration equipment.

The two ships have conducted missions including the maritime transport of the Long March-7 and the Long March-5 carrier rockets. Each ship has sailed more than 40,000 nautical miles and has successfully completed more than 10 maritime transport missions.

Source: Xinhua| 2019-10-12 21:40:08|Editor: ZX
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/12/c_138466946.htm

[vulture4]

If they now have a working FTS that should be no problem, specially if it is south-west of the pad.

Although there are no hotels quite that close at KSC there are large crowds of visitors at about that distance. If there is a capable range safety system, five kilometers provides reasonable clearance. Conversely, if there were no way to disable a launch vehicle that goes off course, a hundred kilometers might not be enough.  The use of kerosene/LOX/H2 propellants in the CZ-5 and CZ-7 is a major factor, the combustion products from the UDMH/N2O4 used by earlier Chinese launch vehicles can drift downwind and present a hazard kilometers away.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Not sure where to place these, but Chinese president Xi Jinping made a visit to Wenchang on April 12

BTW the official name of the facility is Wenchang Space Launch Site (WSLS) - not "Center" as administratively it was managed as a sub-facility of Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

[mikezang]

金紫荆-齐鲁农业卫星星座首星7月发射

The first star of the Golden Bauhinia-Qilu Agricultural Satellite Constellation will be launched in July

According to the plan, the first batch of satellites (currently planned to be 6 satellites) of the 8 business satellites will be launched on the Long March 6 rocket of Great Wall Company and the Ceres-1 rocket of Galaxy Power Company by the end of this year.

Jinzjijing-Qilu-1 01-0? will be launched by CZ-6 in end of 2022, and
Jinzjijing-Qilu-1 0?-06 will be launched by Gushenxing-1 Y4 in end of 2022.

[Satori]

Construction of China's first commercial spacecraft launch site starts in Hainan

https://english.news.cn/20220706/358f8046503a431ca7697838e065bb10/c.html

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1619580872268648449

Hainan commercial rocket launch pad construction has began. The first commercial rocket launch from Hainan will be in 2024. Source: https://buff.ly/3XKTlLX

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1621541377107726336

The launch tower structure of Wenchang commercial pad#1 will be finished this June and the construction of the pad will be completed by the end of the year.
The first launch from this new pad will likely be Long March 8 👇 in 2024

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1630111277048803328

Latest footage of construction at Hainan Wenchang commercial launch pad #1.
by June: completing the tower
by September: completing the rotary platforms
by the end of the year: completing the whole structure and ready for rehearsals

twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1630111537875816453

Rocket assembly building under construction too

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1630111899965878272

Satellite manufacturing and testing facility as well

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1636271848550977536

The new Hainan Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 will use an aboveground deflector instead of a trench to redirect the flame. A 1:10 scaled model has been built in Changzhi, Shanxi Province, for tests

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1653629965106139137

📸Hainan commercial launch pad under construction. The new launch pad will be tested and serve the clients in 2024 for regular commercial launches. Source: buff.ly/3HAmbsm

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1656617470822842368

The construction of the service tower at Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 has completed on May 10, ~20 days before the original plan
m.chinanews.com/wap/detail/zw/…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1657634688633303040

There will be more launch pads to be built along Wenchang's coast to the west of the currently under-construction commercial launch site, including those for Long March 10 and Long March 9, according to a CCTV interview:
https://weibo.com/6189120710/N06hsnOEO

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1675531113035632640

Latest footage of construction at Wenchang commercial launch site on July 2nd. The first launch will be Long March 8G from pad #1 in June, 2024
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/chEibATB8fcA…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1676827092384731137

Storage tanks being installed at the new commercial launch centre at Hainan this week. Will host first launches next year. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/c2g8Hmmsp7gN… -- https://spacenews.com/new-chinese-commercial-spaceport-to-host-first-launch-next-year/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1683194857966407680

Latest footage of construction at Wenchang commercial launch site on July 20
At pad#1, a 3rd lightning tower has been finished & the 4th is growing
More footage of the fueling system, CZ-8 assembly building, mission tracking & control building, propulsion center and substation

[FutureSpaceTourist]

YT version

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1684944399523061760

Wenchang commercial launch site has started installing rotary platforms at launch pad #1 since July 22 and it's expected to be completed by the end of August

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1685311439068934144

All four lightning towers at Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 have been completed on July 27

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1685311652252753920

📸 mp.weixin.qq.com/s/TVy-uOMwkdmz…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1686762654403264512

Wenchang commercial launch tower #1 update: Installation of hinges completed. Truss structures being assembled on ground. 4 days ahead of the schedule

[FutureSpaceTourist]

It's a new week and we got another video update of the construction at Wenchang commercial launch site

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1690776089856270336

The truss structure of Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 has been finished

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1695973328320688250

A new week is about to start, so it's time to see what the Wenchang commercial launch site looks like now (as of August 25)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1696808156704469438

Wenchang commercial launch site has completed the foundation pouring of launch pad #2's water deluge system on August 29
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/HrW_HpCd-fvX…

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1697992201723388203

Launch pad #2 of Wenchang commercial launch site will support 10+ rockets of different fuel types

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1697994964574274042

Including:
CAS-SPACE's kerosene fueled Kinetica
SAST's methane rockets
SPACE-PIONEER's kerosene fueled Tianlong-2/3
GALAXY-SPACE's kerosene fueled Pallas-1
DEEP-BLUE's kerosene fueled Nebula-1
iSpace's methane fueled Hyperbola-3

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1701367082275967417

Sentinel-2 satellite images show likely a new assembly building and rail tracks to transfer the rocket are being built next to the ones for Long March 7 at Wenchang launch site
Credit: @WLR_2678

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1708556329944817686

The cantilever crane of Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 has arrived at the construction site

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1710025607156007181

Swing platform in action. Wenchang commercial launch site has tested the right arm of launch pad #1 on October 04

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1716260287584862382

Heavy rain due to Tropical Storm Sanba caused flooding at the construction site of Wenchang commercial launch site

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1721293028852383982

One of the three parts, the center piece, of the flame deflector to be installed on Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 has arrived at the construction site.
This piece measures 3.9m tall, 3.8m wide & 10.5m long and weighs 48t while the whole deflector will be 129.5t.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1725611139135046071

500 days of building the Wenchang commercial launch site in 50 seconds.

[Conexion Espacial]

Launch schedule for Space Pioneer's first three Tianlong-3 rockets

Demonstration Flight - NET June, 2024 - Wenchang Space Launch Site
Second Flight - NET September, 2024 - Wenchang Space Launch Site or Jiuquan Space Launch Site
Third Flight - NET November, 2024 - Wenchang Space Launch Site or Jiuquan Space Launch Site

Maiden Flight from Wenchang Island.
https://fxtwitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1730274941197484237

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Just a slight comment regarding the administration of the future launch facilities at Wenchang:

This launch should use the newly built Hainan commercial launch site. Although this launch site is close to the Wenchang launch site, for professional reasons, we should assume that this launch will be launched from the Hainan commercial launch site.

TL;DR as far as I understand, it's pretty similar to the Cape Canaveral Space (ex-Air) Force Station/Kennedy Space Center case:

* The current Wenchang Space Launch Site is managed by the PLA Strategic Support Force, and unlike the older 3 launch sites that are under direct management of their Space Systems Department, it's a "sub-facility" administratively under Xichang SLC. This includes the 2 existing pads and future launch facilities for the Long March 10 and 9 SHLVs.

* The new commercial launch site on the other hand is apparently jointly owned by CASC, CASIC, China Satellite Network Corporation (the new state owned company running the future main Chinese LEO comsat constellation) and the Hainan local government. This covers the 2 under-construction fixed pads and up to 2 pads for mobile launchers. 

[Satori]

Just a slight comment regarding the administration of the future launch facilities at Wenchang:

This launch should use the newly built Hainan commercial launch site. Although this launch site is close to the Wenchang launch site, for professional reasons, we should assume that this launch will be launched from the Hainan commercial launch site.

TL;DR as far as I understand, it's pretty similar to the Cape Canaveral Space (ex-Air) Force Station/Kennedy Space Center case:

* The current Wenchang Space Launch Site is managed by the PLA Strategic Support Force, and unlike the older 3 launch sites that are under direct management of their Space Systems Department, it's a "sub-facility" administratively under Xichang SLC. This includes the 2 existing pads and future launch facilities for the Long March 10 and 9 SHLVs.

* The new commercial launch site on the other hand is apparently jointly owned by CASC, CASIC, China Satellite Network Corporation (the new state owned company running the future main Chinese LEO comsat constellation) and the Hainan local government. This covers the 2 under-construction fixed pads and up to 2 pads for mobile launchers. 

This is very useful. Thank you!

[yuebai]

Just a slight comment regarding the administration of the future launch facilities at Wenchang:

This launch should use the newly built Hainan commercial launch site. Although this launch site is close to the Wenchang launch site, for professional reasons, we should assume that this launch will be launched from the Hainan commercial launch site.

TL;DR as far as I understand, it's pretty similar to the Cape Canaveral Space (ex-Air) Force Station/Kennedy Space Center case:

* The current Wenchang Space Launch Site is managed by the PLA Strategic Support Force, and unlike the older 3 launch sites that are under direct management of their Space Systems Department, it's a "sub-facility" administratively under Xichang SLC. This includes the 2 existing pads and future launch facilities for the Long March 10 and 9 SHLVs.

* The new commercial launch site on the other hand is apparently jointly owned by CASC, CASIC, China Satellite Network Corporation (the new state owned company running the future main Chinese LEO comsat constellation) and the Hainan local government. This covers the 2 under-construction fixed pads and up to 2 pads for mobile launchers.

What you said is very correct, but when it comes to the property rights of the Hainan Commercial Launch Center, I think the situation will be more complicated.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1738182653164274020

Wenchang Commercial launch site Pad-2 base completed. The Pad-2 could support dozens of different private-companies' rockets. Based on the current infomation, The maiden launch should be Tianlong-3 of Space Pionner. via mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzkxND…

https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1739181471087370260

Wenchang commercial launch site Pad-01 will complete at 29 Dec. The maiden launch will be the XLV(code name) rocket of CASC.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1740544727932678301

Wenchang commercial launch site is on going a ceremony for Pad - 1's completion.  via weibo.com/7743278955/Nzk…

[Alter Sachse]

 Launchpad No. 1 of the Hainan Commercial Spaceport

https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/t/chinas-space-program-thread-ii.9003/page-305#post-1045756

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1741442193355911579

( 📷 2023-12-29 Guo Cheng/UAV)
---
The No. 1 launch station of Hainan International Commercial Space Launch Center was completed.

[GELORD]

 Wenchang Space Launch Site

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[KVP424]

Deluge system test at 2nd Wenchang commercial launch pad

[TheKutKu]

Minor damages are reported at the space center because of the Yagi typhoon. Reportedly some VAB panels being blown off.

Edit: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5076088420569282
Official Statement:

"The Vice Mayor of Wenchang City, Hainan Province, Wei Bo, stated at a press conference held by the Typhoon "Yagi" Emergency Command that #TyphoonYagi poses a serious threat to the facilities and equipment of the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. However, the risk is currently under control, and post-disaster emergency recovery work is proceeding in an orderly manner. [Web link]"

EDIT 2: Overview of the damage https://content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/index.html?item_id=8487426214750732519&toc_style_id=feeds_default&share_to=copy_url&track_id=82efe061-086b-4dc0-b2bb-60db2b0d8011

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1846618833693413486

The first launch from China's new Hainan commercial spaceport is expected soon, while preparations are underway to launch the next crew to the Tiangong space station and return the trio of Shenzhou-18 taikonauts to Earth.

Martin Smith overviews:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/10/china-roundup-202410/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Video:

https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1854207009043914922

The first launch from Wenchang commercial launch pad #1 is on track to happen by the end of the year while the current rehearsal campaign of Long March 8 will continue until November 09

[Satori]

We should use the designation "Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site" (HICALS)?

[TheKutKu]

We should use the designation "Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site" (HICALS)?

 Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site/Complex(HCSLS/HCSLC, 海南商业航天发射场) is the name of the launch site, HICAL is the name of the company managing it.

Exemple from various official communiques:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/QYRNFqNlmPG3uJEDqNCqFg (HICAL's)
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/gnSr2eFYsw9DVeJKr5AgEQ (CASC, who was contracted to make a large part of the site)

[Satori]

We should use the designation "Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site" (HICALS)?

 Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site/Complex(HCSLS/HCSLC, 海南商业航天发射场) is the name of the launch site, HICAL is the name of the company managing it.

Thanks for the clarification.

[TheKutKu]

http://www.news.cn/tech/20250125/b5d5c1e2d44e440ca0cd5902d5a9da20/c.html

HICAL announces the start of construction of two new commercial launch pads for liquid propellant launchers.
The launch pads will be designed for horizontally integrated launchers, i.e. CZ-12 launchers and non-CASC launchers; like the second commercial launch pad (HCSLC LCC-2).
The launch pads will be located on a 2103 chinese acres  (1,402,000m2) area of coastal Dongjiaozhen town, approximately ~2km west of the two existing launch pads.
A new technical area with command center, vehicle assembly building, test facilities and propellant supply systems will also be built.


https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/M_z2XF_99nkhUIabHF2d-g
http://www.hi.chinanews.com.cn/hnnew/2023-06-14/4_167408.html

These two launch pads are called LCC-3 and LCC-4; however, a LCC-3 for small solid launchers had already been announced and its construction had started in June 2023, but the completion of the work was never announced, even if different images showed that there had been major works. It may be possible that this launch pad was canceled...

[Alter Sachse]

overview

[limen4]

During the recent COPUOS Meeting in Vienna Russia presented his project of a Space Theater in Wenchang International Space City (Source)

[Alter Sachse]

"The latest image of the Hainan Commercial Spaceport, with her now operational launchpad no. 1 and no. 2."

[TheKutKu]

Following a call for bids, the Hainan Commercial Spaceport is starting to sign contracts to procure Maritime booster recovery infrastructures. It is expected to be completed by late 2026.

https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/25884532106
https://finance.eastmoney.com/a/202502253329207195.html

I. Overview of Bidding Results

On February 22, 2025, the bidding results for the "Reusable Rocket Maritime Recovery System" by Hainan Commercial Development have been fully announced. The project is divided into five sections, with a total investment of 805,912,478.2 RMB ($111M). Below are the bidding results for each section:

(1) Bidding Results for "Maritime Recovery Vessel"

The winning consortium consists of "Wuhu Shipyard Co., Ltd." and "The 708th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited," with a total winning bid of 293 million RMB and a project duration of 671 calendar days.

(2) Bidding Results for "Command and Control Vessel"

The winning consortium includes "Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.," "China Ship Development and Design Center," and "Hainan Oute Marine Technology Co., Ltd.," with a total winning bid of 457.97 million RMB and a project duration of 671 calendar days.

(3) Bidding Results for "Telemetry Control System"

The winning consortium comprises "The 54th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation" and "Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences," with a total winning bid of 29.778 million RMB and a project duration of 480 calendar days.

(4) Bidding Results for "Shipboard Communication System"

The winner is the "Guangzhou Communication Research Institute" (The 7th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation), with a total winning bid of 17.4784782 million RMB and a project duration of 300 calendar days.

(5) Bidding Results for "Meteorological Measurement System"

The winner is "Nanjing Daqiao Machine Co., Ltd.," with a total winning bid of 7.686 million RMB and a project duration of 240 calendar days.

The largest contract, for the command ship, was signed on the 24th: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OFUieWY0oah704-wVlb93A

Note that this is not the only chinese maritime rocket recovery infrastructure program, and is separate from i-Space's Hainan-based recovery vessel project, CALT's Wenchang-based recovery vessel for CZ-10A, as well as the Haiyang spaceport's barges fleet.

[edkyle99]

In addition to LC 1 and LC2, the Hainan Commercial Spaceport appears to have an additional flat pad in current Google maps images.  Note that there seems to be space for an additional flat pad just to the east.

The flat pad is here:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqA3WN2YUWwLz7C6A

Is this LC 3?

 - Ed Kyle

[limen4]

In addition to LC 1 and LC2, the Hainan Commercial Spaceport appears to have an additional flat pad in current Google maps images.  Note that there seems to be space for an additional flat pad just to the east.

The flat pad is here:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqA3WN2YUWwLz7C6A

Is this LC 3?

 - Ed Kyle

No, according to recently issued images of the groundbreaking ceremony LC3 and 4 are located about 1.5 km westwards.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

In addition to LC 1 and LC2, the Hainan Commercial Spaceport appears to have an additional flat pad in current Google maps images.  Note that there seems to be space for an additional flat pad just to the east.

The flat pad is here:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqA3WN2YUWwLz7C6A

Is this LC 3?

 - Ed Kyle

IIRC there was indeed mentioning of an LC-3 in official Chinese sources about 1-2 years ago explicitly mentioning it to be for solid rocket motor-based small LVs (another says there would be 2 such pads). Perhaps it would be renamed after the new decision to add 2 more liquid fuel based LV pads.

[TheKutKu]

CZ-10 launch pad from a recent flyover

https://x.com/kelvin61942434/status/1903585417473212759?t=qSMkutk2imTclghlmD33qQ&s=19

[TheKutKu]

HCSLC LCC-3 is being built by China Construction Fifth Engineering Bureau South China Company, a subsidiary of SOE China State Construction

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dHhogHj1KhawRgwtZDBK3w
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/xY1lVxaao_yKPx1WRl5SOg

The mobile platforms for the new CZ-5 & CZ-7 VAB were completed at the end of May:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/uRMFIuTfndg61UtT_xgVZQ