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Base 20 Jiuquan Space Facility
South Launch Center

China's design of the manned space flight launch site system was advanced enough to satisfy the need of launching space stations in the future. The research and design of the system was based on intensive analysis of the development trends of launch systems in the world. China had already taken into account the building of space stations in the future when the launch system was designed and constructed. It now can launch a 10-ton space station into space.

The launch site is made up of two general assembly locations for rockets in upright position and a launching pad; such design is aimed at meeting the requirements of docking of space station in the future. Today as soon as the spaceship and rocket built-up reaches the launching pad, it can be launched within three days. If two consecutive launches are required, the two launches can be accomplished in one week. When the launch site system was designed, designers had already taken into consideration of China's third step of space program--- launch of a large space station. All major facilities at the launch site are also designed to allow for large rockets to send large space stations into space. The assembly and test section of the launch system was designed for two spaceships to be tested at the same time and thus capable of accommodating the test of a large space station. In addition, a 8m×8m hole in the wall was reserved for a large space station to pass through. Minor modifications could be made without changing the whole design of the launch site when it comes to practical launch of space station.

In the research and design of the manned spaceship launch site, Beijing Special Engineering and Design Institute alone undertook 14 major technological projects, generating a direct profit of 60 million yuan. The launch site system was awarded a golden prize of state excellent project design, and four ministerial-level first class awards of excellent project design.

Satellite Imagery of the South Technical Center
Pictures Maps Imagery Overview South Technical Center South Launch Center North Technical Center Shenzhou 5 Imagery - 2003 New launch pad built at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center PLA Daily 31 Dec 2003	For more Public Eye satellite imagery, see the Picture of the Week Gallery of satellite and other imagery of places in the news.
Click on the small image to view a larger version
Overview of South Technical Center. All DigitalGlobe imagery as of 24 August 2003 unless otherwise stated.	Overview of South Technical Center
Gantry Umbilical Tower capable of handling Long March 2C/D or Long March 4B.	Gantry Umbilical Tower for the Long March 2F. The movable launch pad is visible below the flame bucket.
Oxidizer storage buildings.	Fuel storage buildings.