CNSA / PLA Strategic Support Force · Kelan, Shanxi, China, China
Launch Pads
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Annual Launches
15-20
Max Payload (LEO)
—
Established
1967
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province specializes in polar and sun-synchronous orbit launches for China. Its high-latitude position in northern China makes it the preferred site for Earth observation, weather, and remote sensing satellite missions. It also serves as a test facility for new rocket technologies.
| Region | Asia |
| Country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Coordinates | 38.8490° N, 111.6080° E |
| Ownership | Military |
| Parent Entity | PLA Strategic Support Force / CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) |
| Regulatory Regime | Chinese State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) |
| Latitude Advantage | 38.85°N — high-latitude site optimized for sun-synchronous (97–99° inclination) and polar orbits with minimal dogleg loss |
| Azimuth Range | 162°–195° (SSO, polar, retrograde) |
Anchor Tenants
Active Users
Strategic Value
China's SSO/Earth-observation hub — virtually all Yaogan reconnaissance and Gaofen imagery satellites launch from Taiyuan. Also the rapid-response solid-fuel pad: Kuaizhou and Ceres-1 small-launchers debuted here, supporting China's commercial smallsat industry.
Recent Activity
High cadence through 2024–2025 with Yaogan, Gaofen, and Jilin-1 deployments; Galactic Energy Ceres-1 commercial flights continuing at ~6+ per year.
2026
Long March 6A reusable-grid-fin demonstration flights
2027
Continued Yaogan/Gaofen Earth-observation constellation deployment