Key Information

Summary

The South Launch Site (SLS) was constructed in the late 1990s in order to support China’s human spaceflight programme (Project 921). The launch site is situated some 38km southwest to the Launch Area 2 and about 6km to the east of the central headquarters base (District 10). The launch site became operational in late 1998, with the first launch taking place in November 1999. Initially only one launch pad was built, dedicated for the ShenZhou manned spacecraft launches. In 2003, a second launch pad (SLS-2) became operational for satellite launches.

The South Launch Site mainly consists of following facilities:

• ShenZhou Launch Complex (SLS-1)
• Satellite Launch Complex (SLS-2)
• Launch Vehicle Horizontal Building (BL1)
• Launch Vehicle Vertical Processing Building (BLS)
• Spacecraft Processing Facility
• Launch Control Centre (LCC)
• Other facilities

ShenZhou Launch Complex

The ShenZhou Launch Complex consists of an umbilical tower and a mobile launch pad (Longitude: 100°17.4'E; Latitude: 40°57.4'N; Elevation above sea-level: 1,073m). The umbilical tower is a 11-floor, 75m high steel structure, designed to service the launch vehicle and spacecraft with electricity, gases and fluids. It also provides facilities for pre-launch checks and crew entrance and emergency exit. The tower is equipped with a loading crane, a cargo elevator, and an explosion-proof elevator for the crew. In time of emergency, an escaping system is available for astronauts to exit the launch pad quickly. Power supply and other support equipment are located inside an underground room underneath the umbilical tower.

A mobile launch pad moving on a 20m wide rail track carries the launch vehicle and spacecraft to the umbilical tower from the Launch Vehicle Vertical Processing Building (BLS) in the technical centre 1.5km away. The launch pad is 24.4m long, 21.7m wide, and 8.34m high, and weights 750 tonnes. The pad moves at a maximum speed of 28 metres per minute, and the acceleration is less than 0.2m/sec. It take the launch pad about 40 minutes to move the launch vehicle/spacecraft from the Launch Vehicle Assembly Building to the umbilical tower.

Satellite Launch Complex

A second launch complex was built in 2003, about 640m away from the ShenZhou launch complex. The complex has a fixed launch pad and an umbilical tower, which was said to be the world’s first concrete-structure space launch tower. The launch complex has been used for the launch of FSW recoverable satellite using the CZ-2C/D launch vehicles. A total of six launches have been carried out from this complex since it became operational.

Launch Vehicle Horizontal Processing Building (BL1)

The launch vehicle processing facility is mainly used for the examination and preparation of the ChangZheng launch vehicle. The launch vehicle is transported  in parts from its factory to the launch centre by railway. On its arrival, the launch vehicle parts are examined and prepared in the LV Horizontal Processing Building, before it is assembled.

Launch Vehicle Vertical Processing Building (BLS)

The LV Vertical Processing Building serves as a platform for launch vehicle assembly and also the integration of the ShenZhou spacecraft and the launch vehicle. The building consists of two 26.8m X 28m X 81.6m vertical-processing halls, each equipped with 13-floor moveable platform and a 50-tonne crane. The launch vehicle prepared in the nearby BL1 is assembled inside the BLS, before it is integrated with the spacecraft. The two processing-halls of the BLS allow two launch vehicles to be prepared in the building simultaneously. BLS is said to be the world's tallest single-floor concrete building. It also has the world's tallest (86.1m above the ground) and heaviest (13,000t) concrete roof.

Spacecraft Processing Facility

The spacecraft processing facility consists of Non-Hazard Operation Building (BS2) and Hazard Operation Building (BS3). BS is mainly used for the assembly and testing of the spacecraft, while BS3 is used for the fuelling of the spacecraft with liquid propellant.

Launch Control Centre (LCC)

LCC is located beside BLS. It monitors and coordinates the launch preparation processes. The control centre is divided into four functional rooms: Launch Vehicle Control Room, Spacecraft Control Room, Examination and Launch Command Room, and Communication Centre.

Other Facilities

Other facilities inside the South Launch Site include Solid Rocket Motor Processing Building, liquid propellant storage, aiming room, etc.

Launch Records

Last updated: 5 November 2008