China's first commercial space launch site, the Hainan commercial space launch site, is located in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province. /CMG
China's first commercial space launch site, located on the island province of Hainan, is now capable of executing rocket launches, the construction site headquarters said on Sunday.
Following extensive evaluations, the facility has met all requirements to begin launch operations, it said.
Construction on the Hainan commercial space launch site began in July 2022, and it is now the country's first launch site dedicated to commercial missions. Key infrastructure projects have successfully been completed, including those related to fueling and gas supply systems, substations and launch pads.
China's first commercial space launch site, the Hainan commercial space launch site, is located in Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province. /CMG
The facility conducted a simulated rocket launch exercise on Sunday. Yang Tianliang, chairman of the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd., said the site is scheduled to conduct its first rocket launch in the second half of this year, which will mark the beginning of its commercial operations.
Looking ahead, the plan is to expand the launch site with additional launch pads, and the aim is to provide both domestic and international rocket and satellite launch services, thereby accelerating the development of China's commercial space technology, Yang said.
Staff members on duty at China's first commercial space launch site, the Hainan commercial space launch site, Wenchang City, south China's Hainan Province. /CMG
Shou Junming, deputy chief technology officer of Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd., told China Media Group (CMG) that the launch site had completed the installation and commissioning of equipment and facilities. They are now preparing for the inaugural launch from launch site No. 2 in the third quarter of 2024.
(With input from Xinhua)