China Upgrades Satellite Launch Tower

DRAGON SPACE

Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. (Xinhua, File Photo)

by Staff Writers
Beijing (XNA) Jan 03, 2007
A launch tower at a major satellite launch center in southwest China has been upgraded to increase the country's satellite launch competitiveness. Use of the No. 3 tower at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province would alternate with the No.2 tower and it was possible that two rockets could be erected simultaneously, a center spokesman said.

The upgrade will improve China's launching competitiveness in the international arena, the spokesman said.

In the next five years, the Xichang center would develop the capability to launch more than 10 satellites a year, the spokesman said.

Set up in 1983, the No. 3 tower is mainly used to launch geosynchronous satellites on Long March-3 carrier rockets and polar orbit satellites on Long March-2C rockets.

It has successfully launched 16 satellites, including China's first experimental communications satellite Dongfanghong-2.

New technologies such as remote control, a real-time three-dimensional display system and a low-temperature fuel concentration warning system were introduced to the upgraded launch tower, making it more advanced, highly-automated and safer, the spokesman said.

The Xichang Satellite Launch Center was established in 1970. It will launch China's first lunar-probing satellite in 2007.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

DRAGON SPACE

China Reports Breakthrough In Space Determination And Control Technology

Beijing (XNA) Jan 03, 2007
China recently reported breakthroughs in space tracking and control technology. Projects to develop sophisticated spacecraft orbit computing technology and USB-VLBI moon orbit determination testing and verification technology were undertaken by Xi'an Satellite Monitoring and Control Center, and recently passed an assessment by a panel of experts from China's space authority.

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