China is building a floating spaceport to launch rockets

The new mobile launch complex is being developed by the China Aerospace Science Corporation and

technologies (CASC), the largest contractor inareas of the aerospace and defense industry. Once operational, it will be used to launch light vehicles and build and maintain rockets and satellites. As China's fifth launch site, it will bring a new degree of flexibility to the country's space program.

Adding an offshore platform will also helpreduce the risk to communities. Currently, all of China's other launchers are located inland at Jiuquan (northwest China), Taiyuan (north), Xichang (southwest) and the coastal area at Wenchang (south) on Hainan Island. Launching from these locations often results in depleted stages falling to Earth, requiring extensive safety and clean-up operations.

The addition of a floating spaceport is also consistentwith the expansion of launch services that China has provided in recent years. The country has seen an exponential growth in launches using the Long March rocket family for 20 years. In 2001, CNSA performed only one launch with the Long March 2F. By 2018, that number had increased to 37 using a combination of the Long March 2, 3, 4 and 11 models.

Read also

Russian vaccine against COVID-19 entered civilian circulation, but there are many complaints about it

On day 3 of illness, most COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell and often suffer from a runny nose

Scientists have found out why children are the most dangerous carriers of COVID-19