| astronautix.com | Xichang |
China's launch site for geosynchronous orbit launches. Xichang Satellite Launch Centre is situated in Xichang, Sichuan Province, south-western China. The launch pad is at 102.0 degrees East and 28.2 degrees North. The head office of the launch centre is located in Xichang City, about 65 kilometres away. Xichang Airport is 50 km away. A dedicated railway and highway lead directly to the launch site. The Technical Centre is equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. The Mission Command and Control Centre, located 7 kilometres south-west of the launch pad, provides flight and safety control during launch rehearsal and launch. The down range tracking stations for Xichang are located in Xichang City and Yibin City of Sichuan Province, and Guiyang City of Guizhou Province. Other facilities include the Launch Complex, the Launch Control Centre, propellant fuelling systems, communications systems for launch command, telephone and data communications for users, and support equipment for meteorological monitoring and forecasting. Most of the commercial satellite launches of Long March vehicles have been from Xichang.