Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC, 太原卫星发射中心) is one of China's four operational space launch sites, located in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province at approximately 38.8°N latitude, 1,500 m above sea level. Founded in 1967, TSLC is China's primary launch site for polar orbit and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) missions — the high-inclination trajectories required for Earth observation, meteorological, and reconnaissance satellites that need global coverage. The site's inland latitude and elevation provide natural trajectory options for northward launches into SSO without flying over populated areas or contested maritime zones.

TSLC operates multiple launch complexes serving the Long March rocket family, with the most active pads supporting Long March 2D (medium LEO), Long March 4B/4C (SSO workhorse), and Long March 6/6A (commercial small satellite multi-manifest) vehicles. The Long March 4C is TSLC's mainstay for meteorological satellites including the Fengyun-3 series (polar orbiting weather), oceanographic observation, and remote sensing payloads for Chinese government agencies. Long March 6A, introduced in 2022 using non-toxic liquid propellants and capable of deploying multiple small satellites, has made TSLC increasingly relevant for commercial constellation launches.

Historically significant TSLC missions include China's first meteorological satellites, early reconnaissance satellite programs, and the complete Fengyun-3 constellation of operational polar weather satellites relied upon by the World Meteorological Organization and global numerical weather prediction models. The TSLC also supports launches for international customers through China Great Wall Industry Corporation, having orbited satellites for Algeria, Nigeria, and other countries.

TSLC is operated by the People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) Space Systems Department, reflecting China's integrated civil-military space architecture. The center operates under CNSA mission oversight for civilian payloads while maintaining military launch capability. Its Shanxi location, roughly 700 km southwest of Beijing, was chosen for downrange safety over uninhabited terrain and access to the national rail network for rocket transport.