Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre
ActiveAs of 23 August 2026, the next launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre is Long March 12A | Flight 2 on a Long March 12A, operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, scheduled for 31 August 2026 (time to be confirmed) from Long March 12 series Pad.
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre is China's oldest and most used launch site. Long March 1 launched Dongfanghong-1 from here in 1970 — China's first satellite. All Chinese crewed missions (Shenzhou) launch from Jiuquan's Manned Space Launch Site.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 40.9675°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Jiuquan at 40.9675°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Jiuquan
From 40.9675°N, Jiuquan can reach 4 Starlink inclination shells: 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Jiuquan would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±57° (primarily) — much of the populated world. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.
Jiuquan: China's home of human spaceflight
China's oldest launch base is where its astronauts fly from. Every crewed Shenzhou mission — from Yang Liwei's first flight in 2003 to today's rotations to the Tiangong station — has lifted off from Jiuquan.
A remote inland desert site, it offers the wide downrange clearance and exclusion zones that crewed and military launches demand.
Jiuquan — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Jiuquan and who operates it?
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre is located at 40.9675°N, 100.2982°E in Gansu/Inner Mongolia, China. It is owned and operated by PLA / CNSA. The site has conducted approximately 250 orbital launches since its first in 1970.
What rockets launch from Jiuquan?
Current vehicles operating from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre include Long March 2, 4, 6; Kuaizhou; Zhuque. Primary customers are CNSA, PLA, commercial providers, launching Shenzhou crewed missions, Tianzhou cargo, commercial LEO.
What orbits can Jiuquan reach?
At 40.9675°N, Jiuquan's minimum achievable inclination is 41.0° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 41° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Jiuquan?
Yes — Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre hosts an extremely high cadence of approximately 22 orbital launches per year. Check the operator's website for public viewing arrangements and launch windows.
What satellites can I see that were launched from Jiuquan?
Satellites regularly launched from Jiuquan include Shenzhou crewed missions, Tianzhou cargo, commercial LEO. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Jiuquan built at this latitude?
Jiuquan at 40.9675°N was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 1970.
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