Xichang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Xichang (Chinese: 西昌, Pinyin: Xīchāng; Yi: Op Rro / ꀒꎂ) is a city as well as a nearby spaceport in the province of Sichuan, in the People's Republic of China. It is also the capital of the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Population (2004): 126,700.
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[edit] Geography
Xichang lies in the southwest of the country with the coordinates 28° north and 102° east.
[edit] Spaceport
Main article: Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Xichang's spaceport is located about 64 km northwest of the city and went into operation in 1984. Communications satellites are the most common payload to be inserted into orbit from here. A number of Long March 3 rockets have been launched successfully from the spaceport, not counting the two fatalities on January 25, 1995 and February 14, 1996.
[edit] Transportation
The city possesses its own airport, Xichang Qingshan Airport, which is attached to the spaceport by a railroad line and a motorway directly.
[edit] External links
- http://www.astronautix.com/sites/xichang.htm
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/xichang.htm
