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Over 70 licensed launch facilities now operate globally — 20 commissioned since 2020.
| Attribute | Esrange Space Center 🇸🇪 Sweden Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Operator-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × | Xichang Satellite Launch Center 🇨🇳 China Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Agency-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) | CNSA / PLA Strategic Support Force |
| Ownership | State Enterprise | Military |
| Region | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 🇨🇳 China |
| Launch pads | 1 orbital pad (under development; multiple sounding rocket launch rails)as of [1] | 3 active (LC-2, LC-3 Long March 3A/3B/3C; LC-4 Long March 3B upgrades)as of [1] ↑ Most pads |
| Annual launches | 8–12 suborbitalas of [1]Orbital capacity ~100 kg planned for 2027; SSC orbital pad construction ongoing | ~15as of [1] |
| Max payload (LEO) | suborbital only (historical); ~100 kg to SSO planned 2027as of [1] ↑ Highest capacity | 11,500 kg to GTO (Long March 3B/E)as of [1] |
| First operational launch | 1966-11-19as of [1]First Nike-Cajun sounding rocket from Esrange; first European orbital launch site when orbital pad opens | 1984-01-29as of [1]China's first GTO orbital launch; first commercial GEO satellite (AsiaSat-1) 1990 |
| Regulatory regime | Swedish Space Act (1982:963) + Swedish National Space Agency; EU/EASA airspace coordination | Chinese State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) |
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