Wenchang Space Launch Site
ActiveAs of 23 August 2026, the next launch from Wenchang Space Launch Site is Long March 5 | Chang'e 7 on a Long March 5, operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, scheduled for 24 August 2026 (time to be confirmed) from 101.
Wenchang Space Launch Site is China's southernmost and newest major launch site, purpose-built for large rockets. The Tianhe-1 core module of the Chinese Space Station launched from here in 2021. China's only coastal launch site.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 19.6143°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Wenchang at 19.6143°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Wenchang
From 19.6143°N, Wenchang can reach 5 Starlink inclination shells: 28.5° (equatorial belt), 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Wenchang would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±40° (primarily) — mostly tropical and subtropical regions. 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.
Wenchang: China's heavy-lift coast
China's newest and only coastal launch base flies the heavy Long March 5. From here came the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong space station, the Chang'e 5 and 6 lunar sample-return missions, and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe.
At around 19°N it is China's most southerly pad, so the low latitude boosts heavy payloads to geostationary transfer, and its coastal position lets large spent stages drop into the sea rather than over inhabited land.
Wenchang — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Wenchang and who operates it?
Wenchang Space Launch Site is located at 19.6143°N, 110.9512°E in Hainan, China. It is owned and operated by CNSA (China National Space Administration). The site has conducted approximately 30 orbital launches since its first in 2016.
What rockets launch from Wenchang?
Current vehicles operating from Wenchang Space Launch Site include Long March 5, Long March 7. Primary customers are CNSA, launching Tianhe space station core, Chang'e lunar missions, heavy GEO satellites.
What orbits can Wenchang reach?
At 19.6143°N, Wenchang's minimum achievable inclination is 19.6° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 20° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Wenchang?
Yes — Wenchang Space Launch Site hosts a moderate cadence of approximately 8 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 Wenchang?
Satellites regularly launched from Wenchang include Tianhe space station core, Chang'e lunar missions, heavy GEO satellites. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Wenchang built at this latitude?
Wenchang at 19.6143°N was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 2016.
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