Long Leihao, deputy director of the China Satellite Transport Technology Research Academy, was quoted by Beijing-backed Ta Kung Pao daily as saying the central government was interested in the plan for a launch site in the eastern coast of Sanya, China's southernmost city.

Long said the construction of a launching pad could cost up to two billion yuan (24 million dollars), adding the project could invite foreign investment.

Hainan's latitude could help increase the capability of rockets by up to seven percent from that in southwestern China's Xichang site or up to 12 percent from Jiuquan in northern China, Long said.

There is another launching pad in Taiyuan, also in the north.

Long said Hainan had the added advantage of being able to use sea transport.

Moreover, it is safer to launch satellites in Hainan, as the area is less heavily populated compared to the three current sites, he said.

Copyright 1999 AFP. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by AFP and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Japan Eyes Independent GPS System

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Space

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

SPACEDAILY

Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.