China has embarked on the second phase of construction at its commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan. On Saturday, work began to add two new launch pads designed for liquid propellant rockets, marking a significant expansion of the facility.
The expansion covers over 133 hectares along the coast of Wenchang City, operated by Hainan International Commercial Aerospace. The new phase will include not only the launch pads but also their supporting systems, such as a propellant fueling system and a gas supply system.
In addition, the construction will feature a commercial aerospace command and control center, a rocket assembly and testing building, and a tracking, telemetry, and command station. These additions aim to enhance the comprehensive launch capabilities of the site and meet the growing demand for commercial space launches in China.
“With the second phase, we are gearing up to boost Hainan’s efforts to build an innovative industrial cluster for the commercial space sector,” a spokesperson from Hainan International Commercial Aerospace said.
Phase one of the launch site, which included two launch pads, was completed previously and has already supported multiple launch missions. The expansion signifies China’s commitment to advancing its commercial space industry and fostering international cooperation in aerospace technology.
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Commercial spacecraft launch site in Hainan to add new launch pads
cgtn.com
