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Why isn't China using its southernmost locations for equator proximity, like the US does? Not enough distance to heavily populated areas? For example, are thes

Why isn't China using its southernmost locations for equator proximity, like the US does? Not enough distance to heavily populated areas? For example, are these islands owned by the PRC? https://www.google.co.jp/maps/dir//21.1143616,115.9785889/@21.1144381,115.9434835,13z/data=!3m1!4b1?hl=en https://www.google.co.jp/maps/dir//21.1143616,115.9785889/@2...

paradite 10y ago
According to a Chinese source [1] that I just Googled, 2 main reasons: 1. Need enough distance to populated area. This has to take into account of the situation where something goes wrong in soon after the launch, when rocket is still close enough to the ground to cause damages. The launch location that you see is in the middle of the desert, so it is suitable. 2. Need to consider the landing location. The choice of landing location is limited by the launch location. This launch location allows for suitable landing location which are safe and far from populated area. [1] http://www.weidu8.net/wx/674945 http://www.weidu8.net/wx/674945
- m_mueller 10y ago
  (2) is a good point, I never thought of that. So, if KSP is giving the right hints here, it seems like the inclination needs to be pretty exact because they don't have any delta-v left to adjust it for the landing. Maybe South China Sea water landings are not considered because of territorial disputes?
DerekHe 10y ago
These islands are actually controlled by Taipei...
- paradite 10y ago
  Yes. It is part of the Pratas Islands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratas_Islands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratas_Islands
Aaronn 10y ago
China's next launch (uncrewed) will be from the Hainan province which is 19 degrees north of the equator. See details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Wenchang_Spacecraft_Launch_Site https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Wenchang_Spacecraft_Lau... For anyone who uses reddit, the launch will be discussed here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChinaSpace/comments/57zhk5/shijian17_sj17_long_march_5_cz5_prelaunch_thread/ https://www.reddit.com/r/ChinaSpace/comments/57zhk5/shijian1...
- m_mueller 10y ago
  Thanks, looking at google maps I was wondering whether Hainan is a launch site.

paradite 10y ago

According to a Chinese source [1] that I just Googled, 2 main reasons: 1. Need enough distance to populated area. This has to take into account of the situation where something goes wrong in soon after the launch, when rocket is still close enough to the ground to cause damages. The launch location that you see is in the middle of the desert, so it is suitable. 2. Need to consider the landing location. The choice of landing location is limited by the launch location. This launch location allows for suitable landing location which are safe and far from populated area. [1] http://www.weidu8.net/wx/674945 http://www.weidu8.net/wx/674945

m_mueller 10y ago
(2) is a good point, I never thought of that. So, if KSP is giving the right hints here, it seems like the inclination needs to be pretty exact because they don't have any delta-v left to adjust it for the landing. Maybe South China Sea water landings are not considered because of territorial disputes?

DerekHe 10y ago

These islands are actually controlled by Taipei...

paradite 10y ago
Yes. It is part of the Pratas Islands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratas_Islands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratas_Islands

Aaronn 10y ago

China's next launch (uncrewed) will be from the Hainan province which is 19 degrees north of the equator. See details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Wenchang_Spacecraft_Launch_Site https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Wenchang_Spacecraft_Lau... For anyone who uses reddit, the launch will be discussed here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChinaSpace/comments/57zhk5/shijian17_sj17_long_march_5_cz5_prelaunch_thread/ https://www.reddit.com/r/ChinaSpace/comments/57zhk5/shijian1...

m_mueller 10y ago
Thanks, looking at google maps I was wondering whether Hainan is a launch site.