Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
太原卫星发射中心
Location
Alternative names Base 25
General information
Status Complete
Location Kelan, Xinzhou, Shanxi
Coordinates 38°50′56.71″N 111°36′30.59″E / 38.8490861°N 111.6084972°E / 38.8490861; 111.6084972
Opening 1968
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
Simplified Chinese 太原卫星发射中心
Traditional Chinese 太原衛星發射中心

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) also known as Base 25 (Chinese: 二十五基地), is a People's Republic of China space and defence launch facility (spaceport). It is situated in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province and is the second of three launch sites having been founded in March 1966 and coming into full operation in 1968. Taiyuan sits at an altitude of 1500 meters and its dry weather makes it an ideal launch site. Confusingly, U.S. intelligence designates TSLC the 'Wuzhai Missile and Space Test Centre", despite the fact that the town of Wuzhai is located a considerable distance from the Taiyuan space launch facility.

The site is primarily used to launch meteorological satellites, earth resource satellites and scientific satellites on Long March launch vehicles into sun-synchronous orbits. TSLC is also a major launch site for intercontinental ballistic missiles and overland Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) tests.

The site has a sophisticated Technical Center and Mission Command and Control Center. It is served by two feeder railways that connect with the Ningwu–Kelan Railway.

Launch pads

1601 Satellite Launch Pad

Recent launches

Date Vehicle Payload Outcome Comments
2008-09-06 Long March 2C Two Huanjing satellites Success[3]

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center will launch a satellite coded as the 03 Group of the Shijian-6 serial research satellites sometime on 2008-10-24. The rocket carrier will be a Long March 4B, said the official, noting both the satellite and the rocket were in good condition and all the preparations for the launch had been completed.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "太原卫星发射中心从卫星影像看发射塔". 中国象山同乡网. 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  2. ↑ 太原卫星发射中心启用新工位 航天发射能力跃升 (in Chinese). China News. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  3. ↑ "China launches two natural disaster monitoring satellites". Xinhua. 2008-09-06.
  4. ↑ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/24/content_10248117.htm
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