The Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, located in Wenchang, Hainan, China, is a rocket launch site — one of the two spacecraft launch sites of Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It is a former suborbital test center. It is China's fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility. It has been specially selected for its low latitude, which is only 19° north of the equator, which will allow for an increase in payload necessary for launching China's future space station. It is capable of launching the Long March 5, currently the most powerful Chinese rocket. Unlike the space centers on the mainland whose rail tracks are too narrow to transport the new five meter core boosters, Wenchang uses its sea port for deliveries. Initial launches of the CZ-5 booster from Wenchang were, as of early 2008, expected in 2014, one year after the intended commissioning of the Wenchang Launch Site. The first launch of CZ-5 was later shifted to 2016, and took place on 3 November 2016. The CZ-5B variant was expected to fly around 2018 but the maiden flight took place 5 May 2020. A CZ-5 carrier rocket was already shipped from North China's Tianjin port at 20 September 2015 for a rehearsal of a scheduled Chang'e-5 lunar mission, which was planned for around 2019. Chang'e 5 is currently scheduled to launch December 2020. The construction of the site was completed by October 2014. The first launch took place successfully at 20:00, 25 June 2016.
Planning and construction
Political considerations had postponed the construction of a large space center in Hainan many times as it was considered too vulnerable to foreign attack. Following the end of the Cold War and the easing of global tensions, new projects for its development were submitted. According to a report by China Central Television, the construction of the new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center was officially approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China on 22 September 2007. In late October 2007, the Mayor of Wenchang announced that of land would be obtained for the center and more than 6,000 people, mostly from the villages of Longlou and Dongjiao would be relocated as a consequence. A subsequent article in November 2007 indicated that the actual launch site would be near Longlou, while a space-science theme park would be built near Dongjiao. Satellite photography of April 2011 shows a new clearing near the beach that is consistent with artist's concept pictures of the CZ-5 launch pad that have been displayed in China.
Launch pads
A total of three launch pads are planned. One of launch pad is designed for a CZ-5 rocket launcher. Another launch pad made for the CZ-7 rocket launcher.
Launch history
The first launch was a Long March 7 which took place successfully at 20:00, 25 June 2016. It was scheduled to lift off at 19:30 but was delayed half an hour. On 3 November 2016, Long March 5 rocket made its maiden flight from the launch site. A Long March 5 launched 2 July 2017 failed to complete its mission to put a seven-tonne Shijian-18 communications satellite into orbit approximately 1 hour after lift off at 11:23 UTC. Adding propellant started on 1 June 2017. The rocket had arrived at the base in early May where it was assembled and tested. The launch was broadcast live on television. The third flight of Long March 5 occurred on 27 December 2019 from Wenchang LC-1. The maiden flight of Long march 5B variant took place 5 May 2020 from Wenchang LC-1.
