Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre
ActiveNo launches are currently scheduled from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the published manifest, which was last confirmed on 9 August 2026. Dates may have moved since.
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre is China's primary site for sun-synchronous and polar orbit missions, handling most of China's Earth observation and remote sensing payloads. Commercial smallsat constellations increasingly launch from Taiyuan.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 38.8490°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Taiyuan at 38.8490°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Taiyuan
From 38.8490°N, Taiyuan 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 Taiyuan 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.
Taiyuan: China's polar specialist
Taiyuan is China's go-to site for satellites that fly over the poles — Fengyun weather satellites, remote-sensing spacecraft and a growing share of commercial Earth-observation payloads.
Its northern inland setting suits the southbound trajectories that high-inclination and sun-synchronous missions follow.
Taiyuan — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Taiyuan and who operates it?
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre is located at 38.8490°N, 111.6080°E in Shanxi, China. It is owned and operated by PLA / CNSA. The site has conducted approximately 130 orbital launches since its first in 1988.
What rockets launch from Taiyuan?
Current vehicles operating from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre include Long March 4, Long March 6, Kuaizhou. Primary customers are CNSA, commercial providers, launching Earth observation, meteorological, SSO commercial constellations.
What orbits can Taiyuan reach?
At 38.8490°N, Taiyuan's minimum achievable inclination is 38.8° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 39° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Taiyuan?
Yes — Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre hosts a high cadence of approximately 20 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 Taiyuan?
Satellites regularly launched from Taiyuan include Earth observation, meteorological, SSO commercial constellations. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Taiyuan built at this latitude?
Taiyuan at 38.8490°N was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 1988.
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