Established in 1958, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) is China's earliest launch site with state-of-the-art satellite launch facilities.

JSLC is mainly used to launch scientific and recoverable satellite missions with medium, low earth orbit and high inclinations. JSLC successfully launched the China's first satellite DFH-1 onboard an LM-1 launch vehicle in 1970. The center successfully completed its first international mission in October 1992, when, using an LM-2C launch vehicle, the Swedish Space Corporation's Freja scientific satellite was successfully piggybacked with a Chinese recoverable satellite into pre-defined orbit.

JSLC is situated in Jiuquan, northwestern Gansu province. The coordinates of the launch site are 100°E, and 41°N, and it stands at an altitude of about 1000m above sea level.

Jiuquan is of an inland, arid desert climate. It is dry all the year round with little rain and extended daylight hours, with an annual average temperature of 8.5°C and relative humidity of 35-55%, ideal environmental conditions for satellite launches.

A dedicated branch railway line connects JSLC with the national Lanzhou-Urumqi Railway, providing a direct link to the Technical Center and Launch Area.

Dingxin Airport is located 75 km south of the center, and has a 4100m x 80m runway, which can easily accommodate large aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 and Boeing 747.

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) is located in the northwest of Shanxi province, 284 km from Taiyuan City, and is accessible by either rail or road.

The center is at a height of 1400-1900m above sea level, and is surrounded by mountains to the east, south and north, with the Yellow River to its west. The annual average temperature is 4-10°C, with maximum of 28°C in summer and minimum of -39°C in winter.

TSLC is suitable for launching a range of satellites, especially for low earth and sun-synchronous orbit missions. The center has state-of-the-art facilities for launch vehicle and spacecraft testing, preparation, launch and in-flight tracking and safety control, as well as for orbit predictions.

Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) focuses on the launch of spacecrafts including broadcast, communications and meteorological satellites into geo-stationary orbit.

XSLC is located in Xichang, Sichuan province.The center's headquarter is in Xichang City, a distance of 65 km from the launch site. The coordinates of the launch pad are 102.0°E and 28.2°N.

The climate in the region is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of 16°C. Ground wind in the region is generally very mild all the year round.

Xichang Airport is situated in the northern outskirts of the city, 13.5km from the town center and 50km from the launch site . Its runway is 3,600m in length, and is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130, Antonov An-124 and Boeing 747.

XSLC is connected by road to the Sichuan-Yunnan Highway, as well as by rail to the national Chengdu-Kunming railway line - it is 535km from Chengdu to Xichang by rail. A dedicated railway branch and highway branch lead to the Technical Center and the Launch Complex, while a 8m-wide road connects the Technical Center and the Launch Complex.

XSLC's cutting-edge cable and satellite communications networks provide domestic and international telephone and other communications services.