Wenchang Space Launch Site

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Wenchang Space Launch Site is a rocket launch center in Wenchang, on Hainan Island, China. It is the country’s southernmost spaceport and sits near the equator, which helps send heavier rockets into space.

The site has two launch pads, LC-1 and LC-2, and uses a nearby seaport to ship rockets and parts. Construction was finished in 2014, and the first launch happened on June 25, 2016, with a Long March 7 rocket. The Long March 5 had its first flight from Wenchang on November 3, 2016, after earlier delays. In 2017, a Long March 5 mission ended in failure.

Wenchang has hosted important missions for China’s space program. In 2020, the Long March 5B carried China’s Tianhe core module of a new space station into space. That same year, China began using the site for other key flights, including the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars. In 2021, a Long March 7 helped support the space station by delivering cargo, while the Long March 5B carried the Tianhe module into orbit.

Today, Wenchang remains active and continues to support launches as China expands its space activities. Its coastal location helps keep rocket debris away from populated areas, and its facilities are designed for future growth and international cooperation.