Satellite Center to Put Wenchang on the Map

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, located on the northeast coast of Hainan, about 60 km from Haikou, the province's capital, is the only coastal launch center in China. It can use nearby ocean ports in Wenchang for rocket deliveries.

The location, about 19 degrees north of the equator, is suitable for launching geosynchronous satellites, heavyweight satellites, large space station components and lunar and interplanetary missions.

China has three satellite launch centers: one in Xichang, Sichuan province, one in Jiuquan, Gansu province, and one in Taiyuan, Shanxi province.

Besides the launch center, a space theme park and a space research center are also under construction, according to Pei.

He said the construction of the first phase of the park is likely to be finished in 2014, about the same time the center sees its first launch.

The park will give visitors a tram tour of rocket launch pads and offer space-travel attractions, such as a moon-themed train ride and cosmos-themed roller coaster. The park's interplanetary section will be divided into four themed areas — Earth, Lunar, Solar and Martian.

Pei said although the construction of the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center and its relevant facilities is a difficult task, it will enhance the reputation of Wenchang and Hainan around the world.

Construction of the center was approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission in 2007.