Two New Wenchang Launch Pads Move Towards Completion
At least one mission will occur from the new launch pads by years end, with support systems almost ready with them.
Eighteen months ago, the second phase of the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site began to the south-west of existing facilities. That phase has seen the fast construction of the multi-user Commercial Launch Pads 3 and 4, able to host launch vehicles that are at least 3.35 meters in diameter.
Those two launch pads have, according to an announcement by site operator Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co Ltd (海南国际商业航天发射有限公司), had all necessary construction work completed this month. Overall work on the pad is not quite done yet, with launch support equipment and commodity systems yet to be fully installed.
A shared water storage tower for both pads’ deluge systems, which began to rise in February, is among items that are still being completed, although in its late stages of outfitting. Six lightning diversion towers, three for each pad, are already topped and have been since mid-June, but with lights for night launches to be added.
All work is set to be completed in the coming weeks, which was disclosed at a work ceremony for site personnel, at which company Chairman Yang Tianliang (杨天梁) said:
“By the end of this year we will have four medium and large-scale operational launch locations. This scale, the largest in the country, represents a tremendous achievement for us, as well as a significant challenge. With the current global expansion of the commercial space industry, demand for launches is on the rise. Under these circumstances, as we fine-tune our facilities and equipment to optimal performance and ensure our team is at its peak capability, we are faced with new challenges in organizational structure and personnel allocation. We must thoroughly analyze these issues in advance to ensure we can successfully complete this year’s first launch1 and use it to drive further progress.”
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As for when that first launch from the new launch pads may take place, it is expected to be sometime in the fourth quarter (October, November, December), towards the end of the year. The launch vehicle that could perform that flight might be the Long March 10B, using a recovered first-stage booster.
Once Commercial Launch Pad 3 and 4 have been proven by at least one flight from each, the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site will be able to host up to sixty launch missions per year, a majority for the Long March 8 series. Part of what will drive that many launches is a reduced need to adapt multi-user pads to support different diameter vehicle’s dedicated-transporter-erectors2 and different propellants.
Relatedly, following the Long March 10B’s debut flight, teams descended on Commercial Launch Pad 2 to first perform post-flight inspections and then to close off the liquid methane systems, additional water deluge outlets, and remove extra pistons used to move the vehicle to its horizontal launch position. Doing that allows the pad to support further Long March 12 missions in the near future.
When eliminating the need to adapt multi-user pads between different launch vehicle diameters and propellants, Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co Ltd theorizes that Commercial Launch Pad 2, 3, and 4 will be able to each support three launch missions a month. The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology may agree with that thinking, as it is said to be pursuing priority access to at least one launch pad.
While second phase work is being completed, a delegation from the Hainan (海南) province branch of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (国务院国有资产监督管理委员会) led by Deputy Director Shen Qi (申琦) explored the new launch pads to inspect their safety systems and overall protocals for the commerical launch site. After the visit, site leadership said that they have and will continue to meet safety standards as an example for other enterprises in the province and space sector.
Referring to a first launch from the new launch pads, as the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site has already supported several launch missions in 2026.
To support multiple launch vehicles from multi-user pads, the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site provides details on mechanical, commodity, and piston connections to rocket manufacturers to allow them to design a suitable transporter-erector suited to their vehicles. That has seen transporter-erectors built for the Long March 10B, Long March 12, and iSpace’s Hyperbola-3.