Xichang Satellite Launch Center

In order to support the Chinese Project 714 crewed space program in the 1960s, the construction of a new space center at Xichang in the Sichuan province was decided, located farther from the Soviet border, thus safer. This construction was part of the Third Front campaign to develop basic industry and national security industry in the rugged interior of China to prepare for potential United States or Soviet Union invasion.[4]

The Shuguang One spacecraft was expected to be launched from the launch pad number one. After the cancellation of the program, the launch pad was never completed. Today, a viewing platform for officials has been built at the site.[5]

China launched its first Long March-2E carrier rocket on 16 July 1990, sending into orbit Pakistan's first indigenously developed Badr-1 satellite and HS-601.

On 15 February 1996, a fatal accident occurred when the first new Long March 3B heavy carrier rocket carrying Intelsat 708 veered off course 22 seconds after launch, crashing 1200 meters away from the launch pad in a nearby mountain village, destroying 80 homes. According to the official report, six people died and 56 were injured.[6] The number of civilian deaths has been disputed, with estimates of the number of casualties as around a few hundred.[7][8]

On 11 January 2007, China conducted an anti-satellite missile test with an SC-19 ASAT weapon.

A Chinese weather satellite — the FY-1C polar orbit satellite of the Fengyun series, at an altitude of 865 kilometers (537 mi), with a mass of 750 kg — was destroyed by a kinetic kill vehicle.

The SC-19 has been described as being based on a modified DF-21 ballistic missile or its commercial derivative, the KT-2 with a Kinetic Kill Vehicle and is fully mobile.

On October 24, 2007, Chang'e 1, an un-crewed Moon orbiter of the Chang'e program, was successfully launched from the facility, marking the beginning of China's lunar exploration program.[9]

China launched its first Long March-3C carrier rocket on April 25, 2008. This was the 105th mission of China's Long March series of rockets, and also the launch of the nation's first data relay satellite (数据中继卫星) Tianlian I (天链一号).[10]

A new launch pad for next-generation rockets (such as Long March 8) is currently under construction, as of December 2019.[11]

Three launch complexes were planned, and two were built:

Launch Complex 1 (LC-1), not built, was intended as the Shuguang launch site, later used as a viewing area.[12]

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2), located at 28.24550°N 102.02678°E / 28.24550; 102.02678 (Launch Complex 2 (LC-2 or LA-2)), and used for launching Long March 2E, Long March 3A, Long March 3B[13][14] and Long March 3C rockets.

Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3), also known as LA-1, and located at 28.2471400°N 102.0291100°E / 28.2471400; 102.0291100 (Launch Complex 3 (LC-3 or LA-3)). Used for launching Long March 2C, Long March 3, Long March 3A and Long March 3B rockets. Demolished and rebuilt between 2005 and 2006. Upgraded in order to support the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.[15] Demolished and rebuilt again between 2013 and 2015.

Map of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and its neighborhood

XSLC's Technical Center is equipped for testing and integration of the payload and launch vehicle. Its Mission Command and Control Center is located 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) southwest of the launch pads, and provides flight and safety control during overall system rehearsal and launch. It is serviced by a dedicated railway and highway directly from Xichang Qingshan Airport and Manshuiwan railway station, which is about 50 kilometers (31 mi) away from the launch site. Two launch complexes at the facility support flight operations.[16]