Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
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The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) (Chinese: 太原卫星发射中心; pinyin: Tàiyuán Wèixīng Fāshè Zhōngxīn) also known as Base 25（二十五基地）, is a People's Republic of China space and defence launch facility (spaceport). It is situated in Kelan County of north China's Shanxi Province and is the second of three launch sites having been founded in March 1966 and coming into full operation in 1968. Taiyuan sits at an altitude of 1500 meters and its dry weather makes it an ideal launch site. Confusingly, U.S. intelligence designates TSLC the 'Wuzhai Missile and Space Test Centre," despite the fact that the town of Wuzhai is located a considerable distance from the Taiyuan space launch facility.
The site is primarily used to launch meteorological satellites, earth resource satellites and scientific satellites on Long March launch vehicles into sun-synchronous orbits. TSLC is also a major launch site for ICBMs and overland Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) tests.
The site has a sophisticated Technical Center and Mission Command and Control Center. It is served by two feeder railways that connect with Ningwu-Kelan railway.
[edit] Launch Pads
- Launch Pad 1: CZ-2C/SD, CZ-4A and CZ-4B vehicles.[1]
- New Launch Pad under construction. [2]
[edit] See also
- Space program of China
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- Wenchang Satellite Launch Center
[edit] References
- ^ 太原卫星发射中心从卫星影像看发射塔. 中国象山同乡网 (October 30, 2007). Retrieved on June 9, 2008.
- ^ 太原卫星发射中心建设中的新发射塔. 中国象山同乡网 (October 30, 2007). Retrieved on June 7, 2008.
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