China’s first commercial space launch site is ready for operations in Hainan
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CHINA’S first commercial spacecraft launch site is ready for operations in south China’s Hainan Province, having completed a rocket launch simulation rehearsal using its two launch pads.
According to the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co, which built and operates the launch site, the exercises performed using the launch pads included water spraying and deluge system cooling, as well as a rocket lifting arm erection test.
Following assessments, the company confirmed that the site is operational for launch missions.
Yang Tianliang, president of Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co, called on the company to work with satellite and rocket developers, and to prepare for the site’s first launch mission.
Established in June 2022, the company was founded by the Hainan provincial government, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, and China Satellite Network Group Co.
The launch site has an approximate investment of 4 billion yuan (US$555 million) and is located off the coast of Wenchang City. It includes a launch area, a TT&C (telemetry, tracking and command) building, multiple rocket assembly buildings, spacecraft testing and integration facilities, fuel storage facilities and other structures.
Positioned at a latitude of 20 degrees north, the site benefits from the advantages of a low latitude, which increases rocket payload capacities and reduces launch costs.
Compared with inland launch sites, a coastal launch site is more convenient and safer as large rockets can be transported to the site by ship, which is very important for commercial launch services.
A new, purpose-built port is being planned by the Hainan provincial government.
The coastal location also gives Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co an advantage in its recovery of reusable rockets after launch. The company is working with commercial rocket developers to carry out experiments related to vertical landings and the recovery of rockets from the sea.
It said the launch site is designed with two launch pads for liquid propellant rockets and another two for solid propellant rockets, with its No. 1 and No. 2 launch pads completed in December and June, respectively.
The No. 1 pad is designed for the Long March-8, China’s new-generation medium-lift carrier rocket. The No. 2 pad is capable of launching multiple types of rockets with various diameters from commercial rocket companies. Each pad has an annual capacity of 16 launches.
The propellant and gas supply system at the launch site is capable of refueling and supplying liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, kerosene and methane.
Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co will also support commercial rocket companies in providing international commercial launch services.
Xiang Dalin, vice director of the company’s technical department, said the company will issue a universal interface file of commercial rocket designs both domestically and internationally.
The commercial space industry was included in the Chinese government work report for the first time this year. It was listed as one of the “emerging industries and future-oriented industries” that the government plans to cultivate.
According to the 2023 China aerospace science and technology blue book, the country completed 26 commercial launches last year, accounting for 39 percent of its total number of launches.
China’s commercial space market has maintained rapid growth since 2015, with an average annual growth rate of more than 20 percent from 2017 to 2024. It is estimated that its market value will be 2.34 trillion yuan by 2024.
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