Construction of 24-story space launch center completes in S China

The construction of China's first coastal launch base has finished recently.

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, located in south China's Hainan province, is 24 stories high and its construction began on September 14, 2009.

The new space launch center is near the Equator, so the added velocity will greatly reduce the amount of fuel needed to launch a spacecraft. In addition, giant rockets can be transported to there by sea, which will solve the transport problem for rail. It will also reduce the risks from falling rocket debris.

The Long March 5 series rockets under development can be launched here. It is reported that China's indigenous carrier rocket Long March 7 will make its first launch from this pad in 2016.