Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a launch center for scientific, technical and experimental satellites. Founded in 1958, the facility covers about 2,800 square kilometers. The terrain there being primarily flat and dry, it’s an ideal place for launching spacecraft. About 300 days out of every year are suitable for launches.
On November the 5th 1960 Jiuquan saw the successful launch of the first surface-to-surface missile made by China. On October 27th 1966, the country's first guided nuclear missile test was successfully held there.
On April 24th 1970, the first Chinese-made earth satellite was launched there.
On November 26th 1975, China's first recoverable satellite was launched there.
On May 18th 1980, the first Chinese long-distance carrier rocket was also successfully launched.
In August 1987, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center supplied satellite launching services for Aerospatiale Matra, marking the international acceptance of China's space industry.
By 1998,33 satellites had been launched from Jiquan, with a 100% success rate. The site has launched more than 1,000 missiles and rockets. The center has seen more than 1000 scientific achievements of note.
(crienglish.com October 13, 2003)
