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Xichang Satellite Launch Center
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center, is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan town (泽远镇), Mianning county, approximately 64 kilometers (40 mi) northwest of Xichang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan.
It is operated by the People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force (formerly the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force) and is known as the 27th Experimental Training base(MUCD: Unit 63790).
The facility became operational in 1984 and is used to launch numerous civil, scientific, and military payloads annually. It is notable as the site of Sino-European space cooperation, with the launch of the first of two Double Star scientific satellites in December 2003. Chinese officials have indicated interest in conducting additional international satellite launches from XSLC.
In 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the Long March 3B rocket carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite failed on its maiden launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, killing at least 6 people in a nearby rural village. Uncontrolled debris from launches continues to fall in the vicinity, most recently in December 2023 and June 2024.
A 2007 test of an anti-satellite missile was launched from the center.
In order to support the Chinese Project 714 crewed space program in the 1960s, the construction of a new space center at Xichang in the Sichuan province was decided, located farther from the Soviet border, thus safer. This construction was part of the Third Front campaign to develop basic industry and national security industry in the rugged interior of China to prepare for potential United States or Soviet Union invasion.
The Shuguang One spacecraft was expected to be launched from the launch pad number one. After the cancellation of the program, the launch pad was never completed. Today, a viewing platform for officials has been built at the site.
China launched its first Long March-2E carrier rocket on July 16, 1990, sending into orbit Pakistan's first indigenously developed Badr-1 satellite and HS-601.
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Xichang Satellite Launch Center
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center, is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan town (泽远镇), Mianning county, approximately 64 kilometers (40 mi) northwest of Xichang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan.
It is operated by the People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force (formerly the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force) and is known as the 27th Experimental Training base(MUCD: Unit 63790).
The facility became operational in 1984 and is used to launch numerous civil, scientific, and military payloads annually. It is notable as the site of Sino-European space cooperation, with the launch of the first of two Double Star scientific satellites in December 2003. Chinese officials have indicated interest in conducting additional international satellite launches from XSLC.
In 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the Long March 3B rocket carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite failed on its maiden launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, killing at least 6 people in a nearby rural village. Uncontrolled debris from launches continues to fall in the vicinity, most recently in December 2023 and June 2024.
A 2007 test of an anti-satellite missile was launched from the center.
In order to support the Chinese Project 714 crewed space program in the 1960s, the construction of a new space center at Xichang in the Sichuan province was decided, located farther from the Soviet border, thus safer. This construction was part of the Third Front campaign to develop basic industry and national security industry in the rugged interior of China to prepare for potential United States or Soviet Union invasion.
The Shuguang One spacecraft was expected to be launched from the launch pad number one. After the cancellation of the program, the launch pad was never completed. Today, a viewing platform for officials has been built at the site.
China launched its first Long March-2E carrier rocket on July 16, 1990, sending into orbit Pakistan's first indigenously developed Badr-1 satellite and HS-601.