 Map of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Interactive map of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Ejin,Alxa,Inner Mongolia & Hangtian,Jinta,Jiuquan,Gansu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Coordinates | 40°57′29″N100°17′28″E / 40.95806°N 100.29111°E /40.95806; 100.29111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+8 (China Standard) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total launches | 247 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch pad | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center | |||||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 酒泉卫星发射中心 | ||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 酒泉衛星發射中心 | ||||||||
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Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC;Chinese:酒泉卫星发射中心;pinyin:Jiǔquán Wèixīng Fāshè Zhōngxīn), also known as the Shuang Cheng Tzu Missile Test Center, Launch Complex B2, the Northwest Comprehensive Missile Testing Facility (西北综合导弹试验基地), Base 20, or Unit 63600,[1] is a Chinesespaceport and acorps-grade[2] unit subordinate to thePeople's Liberation Army Aerospace Force. It is located betweenEjin Banner,Alxa League,Inner Mongolia, and Hangtian Town,Jinta County,Jiuquan Prefecture,Gansu Province.[3] The center forms part ofDongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10). Although most of the facility lies within Jinta County, the spaceport is named after Jiuquan. The launch center spans both sides of theRuo Shui river.[4]
Founded in 1958, JSLC is the oldest of China’s four spaceports. Like most Chinese launch facilities, it is located in a remote area and is generally closed to foreign visitors.
The launch center is part of Dongfeng Space City (东风航天城), also known asBase 10 (十号基地) or theDongfeng base (东风基地). The broader Dongfeng site includes test-flight facilities for thePeople's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), a space museum, and a martyrs’ cemetery (东风烈士陵园).[5][better source needed]
JSLC is used for launching spacecraft into low- and medium-Earth orbits with high inclination, as well as for testing medium- and long-rangemissiles. Its facilities include the technical center, launch complexes, launch control center, mission command center, and associated logistical systems.[citation needed]
The center covers about 2,800 km² and reportedly houses up to 20,000 personnel. Many of its systems and equipment were likely modelled on Soviet designs, and theSoviet Union probably provided early technical assistance.[citation needed]
JSLC was expanded during China’sThird Front campaign to develop defense-related industry in inland regions in anticipation of potential conflict with the Soviet Union or the United States.[6]: 218
The site has supported many major Chinese space milestones, including the launch of China’s firstsatelliteDong Fang Hong I in 1970,[7]: 218 and the firstcrewed space missionShenzhou 5 in 2003. As of 2021, all Chinese crewed launches—including missions to theTiangong space station—have originated from Jiuquan.[citation needed]
In August 2016, China launched the first quantum-communication satellite,Quantum Experiments at Space Scale, from JSLC.[8]
In August 2018, Chinese commercial rocket companiesi-Space andOneSpace conductedsub-orbital launches from the center.[9] On 25 July 2019,I-Space carried out the first successful Chinese private orbital launch from Jiuquan using the Hyperbola-1 rocket.[citation needed]
The launch site includes two launch complexes, each with multiple pads.
The North Launch Complex contains two inactive launch areas.
The South Launch Complex is active and supports launches of CASC'sLong March vehicles as well as commercial rockets.
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