Xichang Satellite Launch Center
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The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) (Chinese: 西昌卫星发射中心; pinyin: Xīchāng Weìxīng Fāshè Zhōngxīn) is a Chinese facility approximately 64 km northwest of Xichang City in Sichuan Province. It is well-serviced by a dedicated railway and highway directly from Xichang Qingshan Airport to the launch site.
The facility became operational in 1984 and is primarily used to launch powerful thrust rockets and geostationary communications and weather satellites. 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.
In 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the rocket carrying the Intelsat 708 satellite failed on launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
XSLC'S Technical Center is state of the art and is fully equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. The Mission Command and Control Center is located 7 kilometers southwest of the launch pad and provides flight and safety control during overall system rehearsal and launch.
As of August 2006, the launch pad number 3 is being upgraded in preparation for the Chang'e lunar exploration program, scheduled for April 2007 [1].
[edit] See also
- Space program of China
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- Wenchang Satellite Launch Center
