On November 30, 1993, a decision was made to build a new Russian cosmodrome in the Amur Region, which was named Svobodny and put into operation 3 years later. In honor of the 20th anniversary of this event website prepared an overview of the most outstanding spaceports from around the world.
The largest spaceport
The world's largest spaceport is Baikonur, erected in 1957 on the territory former USSR. Now owned by Kazakhstan and used by Russia on a leasehold basis. The area of the complex, including the city of the same name, is 6717 km².
However Baikonur boasts not only size. From here, the first astronaut and the first interplanetary station to land on the moon were sent into flight. According to 2012 data, the spaceport is still the leader in terms of the number of launches - annually it accounts for a third of the world's "volume".
The smallest spaceport
The smallest area is occupied by the US-owned spaceport Wallops (Wallops). Three individual plots- the base, the launch complex and the center - are compactly located on only 25 km².
The most expensive spaceport
The Russian cosmodrome currently under construction in the Amur Region promises to be the most expensive in the history of world cosmonautics Oriental. Estimated date of "opening" - the end of 2015, reserved area - 1035 km².
By preliminary estimates the creation of a "new Baikonur", designed to ensure the space independence of the Russian Federation, will cost Roskosmos 300 billion rubles.
The most convenient spaceport for launches
The most favorable - as close as possible to the equator - position for launching satellites into geostationary orbit is occupied by the Brazilian spaceport alcantara (Alcantara). Due to the energy of the Earth's rotation, its coordinates are 2°17' S. 44°23´ W - provide spacecraft with an additional speed of 460 meters per second at launch, which can significantly reduce fuel consumption.
Most controversially located spaceport
The most controversial is the geographical location of the American spaceport ( John F. Kennedy Space Center) on Merritt Island, Florida. On the one hand, there is an economically advantageous proximity to the equator (28°35´06" N 80°39´0.36" W) and a distance from settlements. On the other hand, the climate is unfavorable for flights. Tornadoes and tornadoes periodically pass through the territory of the center. And because of the increased lightning activity, lightning "attacks" the spaceport more often than any other place in the United States. As a result, the maintenance of a system of powerful lightning rods annually costs NASA a round sum of about $ 3-4 million.
However, in 1969 it was Kennedy Space Center sent the first man to the moon.
The most hospitable spaceport
Corporation since 2009 Virgin Galactic began accepting applications for flights for non-professionals. Role transport company assigned to a private spaceport (USA, New Mexico).
The program of the space tour includes preparation and the actual journey to the conditional boundary between space and the Earth's atmosphere - the Karman Line. The flight lasts 2.5 hours, of which 60 minutes are spent on the rise, 6 minutes are spent in weightlessness and contemplation space beauties. One can accommodate up to 6 passengers. The cost of unearthly pleasure is $ 200 thousand. True, having paid in advance, you will have to wait at least 2014. Leadership Virgin Galactic already had to postpone the date of the first flight, originally scheduled for the end of 2010.
The most reliable spaceport
Cosmodrome recognized as the most reliable Kuru (Kouro) located in French Guiana. Of the 192 launches carried out since the opening of the cosmodrome, 186 (about 97%) were successful. In proximity to the equator, it is slightly inferior to the Brazilian alcantara– 5°14´21" S 52°46´15". But the development and modernization of infrastructure Kuru finances as many as 20 European member countries of the European Space Agency.
High level The safety and quality of equipment attract other customers to the spaceport, including the United States, Japan and Russia.
The most unfortunate spaceport
In the sad statistics of unsuccessful launches, the Australian spaceport is in the lead Woomera (Woomera), opened in 1947 near the village of the same name. During 10 years of active operation - 1964-1971 - 10 out of 24 launch vehicles (about 41%) suffered an accident. In 1976, the unfortunate spaceport was closed due to unprofitability.
"Unfortunate" Australian spaceport Woomera
Now an exhibition is organized in the center of the village military equipment, where you can see safely landed rockets and planes.
The most "desperate" spaceport
Israeli airbase-cosmodrome Palmachim (Palmachim) is the only place in the world where rockets are launched not to the east. That is, "against" the rotation of the planet. The fact is that the lands to the east of the base are inhabited and there is a border with neighboring states nearby. So we had to lay a "route" in a westerly direction through the Mediterranean Sea. However, 6 out of 8 produced from 1988 to 2010. launches were successful.
A cosmodrome is the name given to the territory on which there are facilities designed to launch vehicles into space. These objects occupy a considerable area and they are trying to be located at the maximum distance from the dwellings.
But the most important requirement for spaceports is proximity to the equator. Indeed, thanks to this arrangement, the carrier can use the energy of the Earth's rotation, which helps save fuel.
Only there are not so many developed countries at the equator, which caused the appearance of mobile and sea-based spaceports. In total, there are about thirty spaceports in the world, but few of them are actively used. The largest spaceports of mankind operating today will be discussed.
Baikonur, Kazakhstan. This spaceport is the largest and most actively used in the world. Despite the fact that the main history of Russian cosmonautics is connected with it, it is located in Kazakhstan. The spaceport was officially founded on June 2, 1955. Then the commission was looking for a sparsely populated region, whose land is not used in agriculture. The Soviet authorities decided to create a test site for missiles that could deliver nuclear charges over long distances. The first missile, R-7, was launched from Baikonur on May 15, 1957. It was she who from this cosmodrome was able to put the first artificial satellite into orbit on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the space age. One of the biggest accidents in the history of space launches is also connected with Baikonur - a fire broke out during the testing of the R-16 rocket, which claimed the lives of 76 people. And on April 12, 1961, the first man, Yuri Gagarin, went into space from Baikonur. Since then, more than one and a half thousand launches of spacecraft have been carried out from the cosmodrome, and ballistic missiles have also been tested. In 1994, the facility, together with the city adjacent to it, was leased to Russia. Kazakhstan will receive $115 million annually until 2050. Missile launches at Baikonur were carried out from 16 different launchers.
Cape Canaveral, USA. This cape in 1964-1973 was called the name of Kennedy. This place is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. There is a US Air Force facility on the cape, which is essentially operated by NASA. Interestingly, the Kennedy Space Center is located on the neighboring island, from which launches are also carried out. As a result, Cape Canaveral combines two launch complexes at once. This property has received a unique telephone code 321, in honor of his contribution to space exploration. After all, these numbers mark the countdown. Since 1949, the military base has been used to test missiles, allowing them to be launched across the Atlantic. From here, since 1956, the Americans began to carry out early suborbital rocket launches. And the launch of an artificial satellite after the USSR in December 1957 failed. In 1958, NASA was founded, for which launches were carried out from Cape Canaveral. There are also many sites for missiles. On September 13, 1961, the Americans were able to carry out the first orbital flight from this cosmodrome, and in February 1962, the first US citizen also went into space. In 2012, 10 spacecraft were launched from Cape Canaveral.
Kourou, French Guiana. This spaceport is located in the northeast South America, on the coast of the Atlantic. In 1964, the French government decided to join the space program and chose Kourou out of 14 competitors. Construction began in 1965, and the first rocket launch from here took place on April 9, 1968. In 1975, with the formation of the European Space Agency, it was decided to make Kourou the main launch site for space programs. Europe has modernized the spaceport under its Ariane program. And in 2003, Russia also signed an agreement with the French, which made it possible to launch Russian missiles from Kourou. In October 2011, the first Soyuz took off from the French cosmodrome. The advantage of Kourou is that it is only 500 kilometers from the equator, which saves fuel. The location of the spaceport is such that it allows for all possible missions. The high level of efficiency, reliability and safety attracts customers from other countries to Kourou. And from here in 2012, 10 rocket launches were carried out.
Xichang, China. In the 1970s, China also joined the space race. According to the plans of Mao Zedong, as early as 1973, an astronaut from this country was to appear in orbit. Especially for the implementation of this project in Sichuan province, not far from the city of Xichang, the construction of a cosmodrome began. It was built in the strictest secrecy, and the place was chosen not only because of its proximity to the equator, but also as far as possible from the border with Soviet Union. But during the Cultural Revolution, leading scientists were repressed, and funding was curtailed. The project was closed and restarted only in 1984. Then the first launches took place here, and in 1988 foreign specialists were also allowed to enter Xichang. Since 1990, the cosmodrome has been offering its services to other countries; commercial launches have been carried out using the national launch vehicle CZ-3. The spaceport has two launch complexes a kilometer apart. The spaceport can theoretically produce about 10-12 launches every year. Interestingly, during launches, the population of nearby settlements is evacuated. And the booster in case non-standard situations is blown up so that its fragments fall in sparsely populated areas.
Taiyuan, China. The cosmodrome began launching rockets back in 1966, but then it was about military ballistic carriers. Only in 1988, the first launch of a spacecraft took place here. The spaceport was previously called Wuzhai and is located much north of Xichang, near the city of Taiyuan. It was built 2500 years ago and was the birthplace of many emperors of China. So the past was connected with the future, which is certainly told to tourists. The area of the spaceport is 375 square kilometers, and its launch pads are located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. At the facility, in addition to the missile launchers themselves, there is also a tower Maintenance and two liquid fuel storage facilities. The main satellite launches from here are meteorological, reconnaissance and remote sensing. In 2012, 5 spacecraft launches were carried out from here.
Jiuquan, China. This is the first spaceport for China and until 1984 it was the only one at all. Jiuquan is also called the Chinese Baikonur, also because of its size - 2800 square kilometers. Initially, the Shuanchenzi test site was built in the Gobi Desert. And the first launch into space from here was carried out in 1970 - the Chinese satellite Dongfanghong-1 rose into the sky. And in October 2003, the first Chinese cosmonaut (taikonaut) launched from this cosmodrome. So China became the third country in history with a manned astronautics. And in 2005, the second manned flight took place - two taikonauts made 30 orbits around the Earth. In total, from 1970 to 1996, 26 launches were carried out from here. In the 1990s, China began to offer other countries the opportunity commercial use spaceports, but Jiuquan was not in great demand due to its geographical location. Then it was decided to make this center the main base for the implementation of the national project of manned spacecraft. Especially for this, a modern control kit was created, which simply has no equal in the world.
Plesetsk, Russia. The most important cosmodrome in Russia is located 180 kilometers south of Arkhangelsk. This is the northernmost object of its kind with a long history. From the 1970s to the 1990s, it was Plesetsk that was the leader in terms of the number of launches space rockets, from 1957 to 1993 they were carried out in 1372, which is one and a half times more than Baikonur. The history of the cosmodrome began on January 11, 1957, when the Council of Ministers decided to create the Angara military facility. The first in the USSR military formation with ballistic missiles was to be located here. The location was chosen taking into account the reach of the territory of the alleged enemy and so that it would be possible to make test launches in the Kamchatka region. But in the summer of 1963, it was decided to convert the military facility into a test facility. The polygon began to develop in two directions: rocket and space. The first launch of the spacecraft took place here in 1966. Since 1968, Plesetsk has begun to carry out international space programs. Already in 1972, the French apparatus MAS-1 was sent into space from here. With the creation of military space forces in Russia in 1992, it was Plesetsk that became the First State Cosmodrome. Currently, the cosmodrome has launch pads for all modern domestic light and medium-class launch vehicles, a launch complex is being created for the latest launch vehicles, including heavy ones.
Sea launch. It is quite obvious that if it is not possible to launch rockets from the territory of the equatorial states, then a marine floating spaceport should be adapted for these purposes. That is exactly what Sea Launch is. This method was used in 1964-1988 on the fixed offshore platform "San Marco" in the Kenyan equatorial waters. However, the payload during launches from there was only 200 kilograms. After it became known that a powerful launch vehicle would not launch from there, Russia, the United States and Ukraine created the international consortium Sea Launch in 1995. The project cost was $3.5 billion. However, in 2009 the company filed for bankruptcy. And the first successful commercial launch took place in 1999. In total, by February 1, 2013, 35 launches were carried out, of which three were unsuccessful. The starting point is the place in pacific ocean, not far from Christmas Island and exactly on the equator. And although this place is considered calm and remote from sea routes, launches had to be postponed several times due to bad weather.
Sriharikota, India. This spaceport is part of the Satish Dhwan Space Center. It is located on the island of Sriharikota, in the Bay of Bengal. Obvious Advantage this spaceport - proximity to the equator. The spaceport began to operate in 1980, although the date of foundation is October 1, 1970. Today meteorological satellites are launched from here, and space technology. On average, India makes two launches from here every year. The cosmodrome has not only launch complexes, but also a tracking station, stands for testing rocket engines. A plant for the production of fuel for carriers was also built here. A lunar mission was launched from the Sriharikota cosmodrome in 2008, and an interplanetary Martian station was launched in 2013.
Vandenberg, USA. Canaveral is considered the main American spaceport. However, this air force base, which is operated by NASA, is an important place in the history of space exploration. In 1957, the infantry training center was transferred to the Air Force, becoming a center for testing space and ballistic missiles. By 1968, through the acquisition of farm land, the area of the spaceport was increased to the current 400 square kilometers. In 1958, the first ballistic missile was launched from Vandenberg, and already on next year- launch of a polar-orbiting satellite. In 1972, the cosmodrome was chosen as the site for the launch and landing of the space shuttle "Shuttle" on west coast USA. The base was significantly improved, however, after the Challenger crash in 1986, the shuttle program was frozen. The launch complex was again repurposed for the launch of polar-orbiting satellites, mainly for military purposes. Also located next to the spaceport is the Missile and Space Heritage Center, which shows how the base and its technologies have evolved.
Throughout April, the country and the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first manned flight into space. For this anniversary, "Vlast" has prepared a guide, which includes information about 28 operating and decommissioned spaceports, their history, infrastructure and features.
* Spaceports are ranked by date of first orbital launch or attempt. When calculating the number of successful and unsuccessful launches, suborbital launches and tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles were not taken into account.
Baikonur (Kazakhstan)
Successful launches: 1245
Unsuccessful launches: 114
Baikonur is the most operated cosmodrome: in the last two years alone, more than 50 launches have been made from it
Construction of the world's first and largest Baikonur Cosmodrome (5th State Test Site) began in southwestern Kazakhstan in February 1955. Until 1957, it was used to test intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). During the operation of the cosmodrome, it tested several generations of liquid-propellant ICBMs, which became the basis of the Strategic Missile Forces, as well as 15 types of new launch vehicles (LV). From here the launch of the first artificial satellite of the Earth and the first manned flight into space were carried out. Baikonur is still the only cosmodrome in Russia from which manned space flights are carried out. Now the cosmodrome has 9 launch complexes with 15 installations for launching the Proton, Zenit, Soyuz, Cyclone, Rokot and Dnepr launch vehicles, as well as 4 installations for testing ICBMs. The total area of the spaceport is 6717 square meters. km. After the collapse of the USSR, Baikonur went to Kazakhstan. In March 1994, Russia agreed to lease it for a period of 20 years; in 2004, the lease was extended until 2050. By 2009, all the objects of the cosmodrome were transferred from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to a civilian department - Roskosmos.
Cape Canaveral Air Force Base (USA)
Successful launches: 558
Unsuccessful launches: 64
The US Air Force began using the Cape Canaveral area in Florida for long-range missile launch experiments in 1949. The location was chosen because of its proximity to the equator, which allows rockets to use the force of the Earth's rotation to accelerate. In 1957, the United States made the first attempt to send the Vanguard TV3 satellite into space from Cape Canaveral. The launch ended in failure - the launch vehicle exploded at launch. Since 1958, rocket launches have been carried out by the US Aerospace Agency (NASA), but the launch site is owned by the US Department of Defense. Jupiter, Thor, Atlas and Titan rockets flew into space from here. The first manned launches under the Mercury and Gemini programs were also carried out here. There are 38 launch sites at Cape Canaveral, of which 4 are active. Currently, Delta II and IV, Falcon 9 and Atlas V rockets are launched from the spaceport.
Vandenberg (USA)
Successful launches: 598
Unsuccessful launches: 52
In 1957, the US Air Force took over a 57 sq. km and converted it into a testing ground for missiles. In 1958, the Thor ballistic missile was launched from the base named after Air Force General Hoyt Vandenberg, and in 1959, the Discoverer 1 space satellite was launched into polar orbit for the first time in the world. In 1972, NASA chose the spaceport as one of two sites for operation ships of the Space Shuttle program. The first shuttle launch from Vandenberg was supposed to take place in 1986, but due to the Challenger disaster, the program was temporarily suspended, and later NASA refused to use the California spaceport. Today, Vandenberg serves as the headquarters for the 30th Air Force Space Wing. Atlas V, Delta II and IV, Falcon 9, Taurus and Minotaur rockets are launched from six launch pads.
Wallops (USA)
Successful launches: 39
Unsuccessful launches: 3
In 1945, NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), began construction of a rocket range on Wallops Island on the US East Coast. Aerodynamic tests of various aircraft took place here. In particular, test flights were made of the capsule of the manned project Mercury with two monkeys as passengers. The first successful launch was carried out on February 16, 1961, when the Explorer 9 research satellite was launched into low Earth orbit using the Scout X-1 launch vehicle. In 1985, space launches were discontinued. In 1998, part of Wallops was leased by the private aerospace corporation Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority for commercial space launches. The first one took place in December 2006.
Kapustin Yar (Russia)
Successful launches: 84
Failed launches: 16
The 4th State Central Interspecific Range (Kapustin Yar) was founded in the Astrakhan region in 1947 as a test center for the first domestic ballistic missiles. On February 20, 1956, the R-5 rocket with a nuclear warhead was tested here, in July of the same year the world's first launch vehicle with dogs was launched. Since 1961, satellites for defense and scientific purposes have been regularly launched from the test site. From 1969 to 1979 it functioned as an international cosmodrome - a member of the Interkosmos program. In 1988, the need for launches dropped sharply, and space launches from the Kapustin Yar cosmodrome were discontinued. Currently, the spaceport has an auxiliary value. It has one stationary launch complex of the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, which provides launches of space objects in the interests of the Strategic Missile Forces and the Air Defense Forces.
Hammaguire (France)
Successful launches: 4
Failed launches: 0
The French test site Hammagir was built in 1947 in the Sahara desert, in Algeria. Initially, it was used for testing and launching tactical and research missiles, and later - the Diamant A launch vehicle, which in November 1965 launched the first French A-1 satellite into orbit from this test site. Over the next two years, three more geodetic satellites were launched from the spaceport. For these purposes, the training ground had four launch complexes, as well as a radar and telemetry station. On May 21, 1967, in accordance with the Evian agreements concluded by France and Algeria, the official closing ceremony of the cosmodrome took place, all equipment from it was dismantled and taken to France.
Plesetsk (Russia)
Successful launches: 1521
Unsuccessful launches: 58
The Plesetsk Cosmodrome (1st State Test Cosmodrome) was founded in 1957 as the first domestic missile base for the R-7 and R-7A ICBMs. Located 180 km south of Arkhangelsk on an area of 1762 sq. km. He began his space activity on March 17, 1966 with the launch of the Kosmos-112 spacecraft using the Vostok-2 launch vehicle. The period of the greatest activity of the cosmodrome fell on the 1970-1980s, when up to 40% of the world's launches were made from here. In November 1994, by decree of President Boris Yeltsin, the 1st State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defense was formed on the basis of the space units of the test site. In July 2001, the cosmodrome was included in the space forces of the Russian Federation. At present, launch complexes of all types of domestic light and medium-class launch vehicles are located on it, the main of which are Rokot, Cyclone-3 and Kosmos-3M.
Uchinoura (Japan)
Successful launches: 27
Failed launches: 8
The construction of the Uchinoura Space Center on the island of Kyushu (Kagoshima Prefecture) began in 1961 and was completed in February 1962. The first space launch from the spaceport took place in 1966 and ended with the loss of a Japanese Lambda 4S launch vehicle and payload due to a failure of the fourth stage attitude control system. Three subsequent launches also ended in failure, and only on February 11, 1970, Japan was able to launch its Osumi satellite into low Earth orbit. On July 3, 1998, the Japanese Martian station Planet-B was launched from the same spaceport. Currently, the cosmodrome, whose area is 51 sq. km, has two launch complexes (one launch site each) for launches of the Lambda and Mu series launch vehicles. At the request of local anglers, launches from Uchinoura have long been carried out only 190 days a year, but in 2010, officials from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency agreed to lift these restrictions from April 2011.
San Marco (Italy)
Successful launches: 9
Failed launches: 0
The only cosmodrome that launches directly from the equator is Sea Launch. It is also the world's first private international spaceport.
Naval Italian spaceport San Marco was built in 1964 in Indian Ocean, 5 km off the coast of Kenya. In the 1970s, it was actively used to launch small research satellites using the Scout series launch vehicle. The spaceport consists of two floating platforms - San Marco and Santa Rita, located at a distance of 500 m from each other. On the first one, a launcher and an assembly and test hangar for assembling and testing missiles are mounted, on the second one there is a launch control post and equipment for tracking the flight of the launch vehicle. In just 21 years of operation, nine satellites were launched from the San Marco cosmodrome (four Italian and American and one British), the last launch took place on March 25, 1988. Since then, the cosmodrome has not been operated, although the certification period for the equipment installed on it expires only in 2014.
Kennedy Space Center (USA)
Successful launches: 149
Unsuccessful launches: 1
In 1962, NASA purchased 560 sq. km on Merritt Island. In July, construction began on the launch center, which, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963, was named after him. In 1965, a vertical assembly building was built, in which the parts of the spacecraft are connected before launch. The main launch site was the launch complex N 39 with two launch platforms, built specifically for the Apollo program. From here, the heavy Saturn V rockets took off, which delivered American astronauts to the moon in 1969. Since 1981, the complex has been used to launch spacecraft of the Space Shuttle project into orbit. After the US abandoned shuttles in 2007, the spaceport began to be upgraded for the Ares I and Ares V rockets of the new US manned Constellation program. In 2008, the US presidential administration closed Constellation, and the fate of the spaceport remains unclear.
Woomera (Australia)
Successful launches: 2
Unsuccessful launches: 4
The Woomera test site was built in 1946 on the basis of an Anglo-Australian agreement for testing controlled aircraft. Located in the central part of the state of South Australia. The first successful launch from it was carried out on November 29, 1967, when the first Australian WRESAT satellite was launched into low Earth orbit using the American Redstone launch vehicle. Second and on this moment the last successful launch was made on October 28, 1971 - the British launch vehicle Black Arrow launched the Prospero satellite into low Earth orbit. In July 1976, by decision of the Australian government, the cosmodrome was closed as unprofitable, the equipment on it was mothballed.
Kourou (France, European Space Agency)
Successful launches: 194
Failed launches: 14
In 1964, the French government chose the coast of French Guiana, 500 km north of the equator, to build their new spaceport. Its construction began in 1965 at the initiative of the French Space Agency. In 1975, after the formation of the European Space Agency (ESA), France invited him to use Kourou for European space programs. Currently, the main launch pads of the spaceport are owned by ESA. The object is guarded by French soldiers foreign legion. The main specialization of the cosmodrome is the commercial launches of geostationary satellites using the European Ariane V launch vehicle. In 2007, work began on the construction of sites for the launch of Russian Soyuz-2 rockets on the Kourou. Since then, the expected dates for the first Soyuz launch have been repeatedly postponed, according to the latest data, it is scheduled for August 2011.
Jiuquan (China)
Successful launches: 46
Unsuccessful launches: 5
The first and largest Chinese cosmodrome Jiuquan was opened on October 20, 1958 in the Badan-Jilin Desert. In the 1960s, medium-range ballistic missiles were tested here, as well as launches of missiles with nuclear warheads. In 1970, China launched its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, from this cosmodrome using the Long March launch vehicle. In November 1999, Jiuquan became the launch pad for China's first unmanned spacecraft, the Shenzhou. On October 15, 2003, Yang Liwei, the first Chinese cosmonaut, was sent into orbit on the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft. Since then, Jiuquan has been one of the top three spaceports, from the launch pads of which manned spacecraft are launched. On its territory of 3 thousand square meters. km there are two launchers for various modifications of the Changzheng launch vehicle, which are also assembled here. In April 2011, the country's authorities announced that the cosmodrome would soon be open to tourists.
Tanegashima (Japan)
Successful launches: 48
Unsuccessful launches: 2
Japan's second and largest spaceport, opened in 1969, is located on the coast of Tanegashima Island (Kagoshima Prefecture). Since 1975, it has been used to launch scientific, telecommunications and meteorological devices. In 1998, due to the growing threat from the DPRK, the country began developing a space reconnaissance system, which resulted in the launch of the first Japanese spy satellites IGS-1a and IGS-1b from Tanegashima in 2003. In September 2009, the first Japanese unmanned space truck HTV set off from here to the ISS. Currently, at the cosmodrome, whose area is 97 square meters. km, there are two launch pads from which heavy Japanese launch vehicles H-2A and H-2B are launched. Due to the proximity of the spaceport to the traditional tuna fishing area, launches from it are mainly limited to January-February and August-September.
Satish Dhawan Space Center (India)
Successful launches: 32
Failed launches: 9
The Satish Dhawan Space Center is located on the island of Sriharikota in the Bay of Bengal in the south of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Owned by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). On July 18, 1980, the first Indian satellite, Rohini, was launched from here, making the country a space power. On October 22, 2008, the Chandrayaan-1 research apparatus was launched from the cosmodrome into lunar orbit, after which India became the third Asian country after Japan and China with its own lunar program. The cosmodrome has two launch pads for launching the Indian launch vehicles PSLV and GSLV. In addition, there is a tracking station, two assembly and test complexes, stands for testing rocket engines, as well as a plant for the production of rocket fuel.
Xichang (China)
Successful launches: 57
Unsuccessful launches: 4
In 1967, Mao Zedong decided to start developing his own manned space program. First Chinese spaceship Shuguang-1 (project 714) was supposed to send two cosmonauts into orbit already in 1973. Especially for him in the province of Sichuan, near the city of Xichang, the construction of a cosmodrome began. The location of the launch pad was chosen according to the principle of maximum distance from the Soviet border. After funding for the project was cut in 1972, and several leading scientists were repressed during the Cultural Revolution, Project 714 was closed. Construction of the spaceport resumed a decade later, ending in 1984. Today, the spaceport with two launch complexes is used to launch satellites, including commercial and foreign ones, into geostationary orbit using the Long March-3 (CZ-3), CZ-2E, CZ-3A, CZ-3B launch vehicles. At the time of launch, the population living within a radius of 5 km from the cosmodrome is evacuated to a safe distance. In 2007, the first Chinese anti-satellite rocket was launched from the spaceport.
Taiyuan (China)
Successful launches: 32
Unsuccessful launches: 2
Construction of the Taiyuan test site began in northwestern China's Shanxi province in 1966. Since 1968, it has been used to test medium-range ballistic missiles. In September 1988, the first Chinese polar meteorological satellite was launched from Taiyuan using the Long March-4 carrier rocket, after which the test site began to be actively used to launch satellites into sun-synchronous and subpolar orbits. The area of the cosmodrome is 375 sq. km. Orbital launches are carried out from two launch complexes using various modifications of the Long March carrier rocket. The spaceport is located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level, which provides favorable weather conditions for launches.
Palmachim (Israel)
Successful launches: 6
Unsuccessful launches: 3
The Palmachim air base is located in the coastal zone of the Mediterranean Sea, 15 km south of Tel Aviv. In 1988, Israel independently launched the first spy satellite of the Ofek series from this base, becoming the eighth space nation. Since then, Palmachim has been regularly used for ballistic missile and spacecraft launches. Currently, there is a launch complex for launching Shavit launch vehicles, with the help of which Israel launches military satellites into orbit. Based on geopolitical conditions, launch vehicles are launched from the cosmodrome not in the usual eastern, but in a western direction in order to avoid their flight over the territory of the Arab states.
Al Anbar (Iraq)
Successful launches: 1
Failed launches: 0
The Al-Anbar launch complex is located 50 kilometers west of Baghdad. On December 5, 1989, the first and only launch of the prototype of the Al-Abid launch vehicle (a modified Soviet R-11 ballistic missile) was carried out from here. According to some data, the launch vehicle reached a maximum height of 25 km, according to others, the third stage of the launch vehicle went into orbit and made six orbits around the Earth. A TASS report dated that date stated that Iraq had launched a space program that included the creation of a more powerful launch vehicle and its own spacecraft by the end of the 20th century. In January 1991, the Al-Anbar complex became one of the main targets of the US Air Force during the military operation "Desert Storm", as a result of which it suffered significant damage and has not been operated since.
Svobodny (Russia)
Successful launches: 5
Failed launches: 0
The issue of creating a new cosmodrome in Russia to replace Baikonur, which was ceded to Kazakhstan, has been discussed since 1992. On March 1, 1996, President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree on the formation in the Amur Region of the 2nd State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (Svobodny) on the basis of the disbanded 27th Missile Division of the Strategic Missile Forces. For space launches, there were five silo launchers of RS-18 ICBMs and a Start-1 launcher delivered from Plesetsk. The first launch from the cosmodrome took place in March 1997, when the Zeya military apparatus was launched into orbit using the Start-1 rocket. In 1999, the reconstruction of the cosmodrome began, but due to funding problems, it dragged on for several years. As a result, only four more satellites were launched from Svobodny (two Israeli, American and Swedish). In March 2007, the Ministry of Defense decided to close the cosmodrome due to its economic unprofitability.
Alcantara (Brazil)
Successful launches: 0
Unsuccessful launches: 3
The Alcantara Space Center is located in the state of Maranhao in northeastern Brazil. Since 1997, there have been three attempts to launch the VLS-1 launch vehicle developed in the 1980s from here. During the first launch in November 1997, one of the four launch boosters did not start. On December 11, 1999, the second stage engine failed at the launch vehicle, and it had to be blown up 200 seconds after launch. On 22 August 2003, three days before the next scheduled launch, a launch vehicle exploded, destroying the launcher and killing 21 people. Nevertheless, the country's authorities continue to develop the space program, planning to use Alcantara as an international commercial spaceport in the future. In particular, since 2002, Brazil has been developing the Cyclone-4 launch vehicle with Ukraine, the first launch of which from Alcantara is scheduled for mid-2012.
Musudan (North Korea)
Successful launches: 0
Unsuccessful launches: 2
The construction of the Musudan test site on the east coast of the DPRK began in 1982. Since 1984, medium-range ballistic missiles of the "Hwaseong" and "Rodong" series have been tested here. On August 31, 1998, North Korea attempted to launch its first satellite, Kwangmenseong-1, using the Taepodong launch vehicle. The first stage of the rocket fell into the Sea of Japan within the Russian exclusive economic zone, while the second stage flew over Japan and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. North Korea then announced the successful launch of the first national satellite, but the US Space Command denied this information. On April 5, 2009, the Koreans made a new attempt to launch a spacecraft using the Taepodong-2 rocket, but it also failed. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo considered both of these launches to be a test of an ICBM capable of striking Alaska or the Hawaiian Islands, after which they announced increased surveillance of the spaceport.
"Sea Launch" (Russia, USA, Norway, Ukraine)
Successful launches: 27
Unsuccessful launches: 3
Negotiations on the creation of an international commercial floating cosmodrome "Sea Launch" began in 1993. In 1995, Sea Launch was registered in California and became the operator of this project. 40% of its shares are owned by Boeing, 25% by the Russian state RSC Energia, 20% by the Norwegian Aker, 15% by the Ukrainian design bureau Yuzhnoye and PO Yuzhmash. Since 1999, satellites have been launched from a floating platform in the equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean using a Russian-Ukrainian Zenit-3SL launch vehicle. The marine segment of the complex consists of two vessels - the Odyssey launch platform (a former oil platform) and an assembly and command vessel. In 2009, Sea Launch ran into financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy. In 2010, the company agreed with RSC Energia to withdraw from bankruptcy proceedings. After the reorganization, Energia's subsidiary Energia Overseas Ltd will receive an 85% stake in Sea Launch, the rest will be distributed among creditors. Launches are scheduled to resume in 2011.
Kodiak (USA)
Successful launches: 2
Failed launches: 0
In 1991, the Alaska state authorities established the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation, determined to capitalize on the state's convenient geographic location, which allows satellites to be launched into polar orbits. The company planned to build a spaceport for commercial launches on Kodiak Island. The idea did not find funding for a long time, until in 1997 the US Air Force became interested in creating a spaceport in Alaska. The command considered that the new launch site would be perfect for launching training targets that would simulate an attack from China and North Korea, and allocated $ 18 million for the project - about half of the required amount. The first test launch for the Air Force was carried out in 1998. To date, the Air Force has launched 18 target missiles from Kodiak. The first commercial launch took place in 2001. The Athena I rocket launched the NASA Starshine 3, Sapphire, PCSat and PICOSat satellites into orbit.
Reagan Test Site (USA)
Successful launches: 2
Unsuccessful launches: 3
After the end of World War II, the US Navy established a refueling base on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. In 1959, the US Army began testing anti-missile and anti-aircraft systems here as part of the Nike-Zeus program. The military has leased 11 of the atoll's 95 islands, building a mission control center, missile launch pads and tracking stations. In 1999, the test site with total area over 1.9 million sq. km was named after former president US Ronald Reagan. Space launches from the test site were started by the American corporation SpaceX, which decided to take advantage of the existing infrastructure and built a commercial spaceport for its Falcon 1 launch vehicles on Omelek Island. Only the fourth launch in September 2008 was successful, becoming the first ever successful orbital flight, fully funded by a private individual.
Yasny (Russia)
Successful launches: 4
Failed launches: 0
The range of the 13th missile division in Yasnoy (Orenburg region) has been used for space launches since 2006. All launches are carried out as part of the Dnepr conversion program, which provides for the use of decommissioned RS-20 missiles to launch satellites into orbit. The cosmodrome is operated by the Russian-Ukrainian space company Kosmotras, whose customers are space agencies and companies from Great Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Japan and other countries. Since 2006, four launches have been made from Yasnoy with satellites from the United States, Thailand, Sweden and France. In May-June 2011, it is planned to launch the Ukrainian Earth remote sensing satellite "Sich-2" from the Yasny cosmodrome.
Semnan (Iran)
Successful launches: 5
Unsuccessful launches: 1
The first and so far the only Iranian cosmodrome Semnan is located in the north of the country, 60 km from the city of the same name. The launcher installed at the test site is designed to launch a light-class launch vehicle. On February 4, 2008, Iran launched the Kaveshgar-1 test missile (a variant of the Shahab-3 single-stage medium-range ballistic missile), which reached Earth orbit at an altitude of 250 km. Iran launches first Omid satellite on their own February 2, 2009 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of 1979. After that, the country sent several more capsules with worms, mice and other living organisms into orbit. In December 2010, the country's authorities announced plans to build a second cosmodrome due to Semnan's "certain geographical restrictions."
Naro (South Korea)
Successful launches: 0
Unsuccessful launches: 2
Construction of the Naro Space Center on the South Korean island of Venarado began in 2003. At present, the complex includes the buildings of research centers, one launch pad, as well as systems for optical and radio control of the flight of missiles and satellites. On August 25, 2009, the first space launch took place from here, which ended in failure. The South Korean launch vehicle KSLV-I, created with the participation of the Russian State Scientific and Practical Center named after Khrunichev, was unable to put the scientific satellite into a given orbit due to problems with the nose fairing. The second launch of the South Korean satellite on June 10, 2010 ended with the explosion of the carrier rocket at the 136th second of the flight. According to one version, the failure occurred in the operation of the first stage, made in Russia. In October 2010, Moscow and Seoul agreed to carry out the third launch of the KSLV-I rocket, which should put a scientific apparatus weighing up to 100 kg into low Earth orbit. The launch is expected to take place in 2012.
Cosmodrome - a place where there is a complex of structures for launching spacecraft into outer space. Cosmodromes are located at points remote from places of settlement, so that parts of ships that separate in flight do not harm people or buildings.
1. Baikonur (Russia, Kazakhstan)
The oldest and largest to this day is Baikonur, opened in the steppes of Kazakhstan in 1957. Its area is 6717 sq. km. In the best years - the 60s - up to 40 launches per year were made on it. And there were 11 launch complexes. Over the entire period of the existence of the cosmodrome, more than 1300 launches were made from it.
According to this parameter, Baikonur is the leader in the world to this day. Every year, an average of two dozen rockets are launched into space here. Legally, the spaceport with all its infrastructure and vast territory belongs to Kazakhstan. And Russia leases it for $115 million a year. The lease is due to end in 2050.
However, even earlier, the majority of Russian launches should be transferred to the Vostochny cosmodrome currently under construction in the Amur Region.
2. US Air Force Base at Cape Canaveral (USA)
It has been in Florida since 1949. Initially, military aircraft were tested at the base, and later - ballistic missile launches. It has been used as a test site for space launches since 1957. Without stopping military testing, in 1957, part of the launch pads was made available to NASA.
The first American satellites were launched here, the first American astronauts - Alan Shepard and Virgil Grissom (suborbital flights along a ballistic trajectory) and John Glenn (orbital flight) - went into flight from here. After that, the manned flight program moved to the newly rebuilt Space Center, which in 1963, after the death of the president, was named after Kennedy.
From that moment on, the base began to be used to launch unmanned ships that delivered the necessary cargo to the astronauts into orbit, as well as sent automatic research stations to other planets and beyond the solar system.
Also, satellites, both civilian and military, have been launched and are being launched from Cape Canaverel. Due to the variety of tasks solved on the basis, 28 launch pads were built here. Currently, 4 are operational. Two more are maintained in working order in anticipation of the start of production of modern Boeing X-37 shuttles, which should “retire” the Delta, Atlas and Titan missiles
3. Space Center. Kennedy (USA)
Created in Florida in 1962. Area - 557 sq. km. The number of employees is 14 thousand people. The complex is wholly owned by NASA. It was from here that all manned spacecraft started, starting with the flight in May 1962 of the fourth astronaut Scott Carpenter. Here the Apollo program was implemented, which culminated in the landing on the moon. From here all the American ships of reusable action - shuttles - flew away and returned here.
Now all the launch pads are in standby mode for new equipment. The last launch took place in 2011. However, the Center continues to work hard both on ISS flight control and on the development of new space programs.
4. Kourou (France, European Space Agency)
It is located in Guiana, an overseas department of France located in the northeast of South America. The area is about 1200 sq. km. The Kourou spaceport was opened by the French space agency in 1968. Due to the small distance from the equator, it is possible to launch spacecraft from here with significant fuel savings, since the rocket is "pushed" by the large linear velocity of the Earth's rotation near the zero parallel.
In 1975, the French invited the European Space Agency (ESA) to use Kourou for their programs. As a result, France is now allocating 1/3 of necessary funds, everything else lies with the ESA. At the same time, ESA is the owner of three of the four launchers.
From here, the European nodes of the ISS and satellites go into space. Of the missiles, the Arian Euro-rocket produced in Toulouse prevails here. In total, more than 60 launches were made. At the same time, our Soyuz with commercial satellites launched five times from the cosmodrome.
5. Jiuquan (China)
China owns four spaceports. Two of them solve only military tasks, testing ballistic missiles, launching spy satellites, testing equipment for intercepting foreign space objects. Two have a dual purpose, ensuring not only the implementation of militaristic programs, but also the peaceful exploration of outer space.
The largest and oldest of them is the Jiuquan cosmodrome. Operates since 1958. It occupies an area of 2800 sq. km.
At first, Soviet specialists taught the Chinese "brothers forever" the intricacies of the military space "craft" on it. In 1960, the first short-range missile, a Soviet one, was launched from here. Soon, a Chinese-made rocket successfully launched, in the creation of which Soviet specialists also participated. After there was a break in friendly relations between countries, the activity of the cosmodrome stalled
Only in 1970, the first Chinese satellite was successfully launched from the cosmodrome. Ten years later, the first intercontinental ballistic missile was launched. And at the end of the century, the first descent spacecraft without a pilot went into space. In 2003, the first taikvonaut was in orbit.
Now 4 out of 7 launch pads are operating at the cosmodrome. 2 of them are reserved exclusively for the needs of the Ministry of Defense. Every year, 5-6 rockets are launched from the Jiuquan Cosmodrome.
6. Tanegashima Space Center (Japan)
Founded in 1969. Operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Located on the southeast coast of Tanegashima Island, in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The first primitive satellite was launched into orbit in 1970. Since then, Japan, with its strong technological base in the field of electronics, has made great strides in building both efficient orbiting satellites and heleocentric research stations.
At the cosmodrome, two launch pads are reserved for launches of suborbital geophysical vehicles, two serve heavy rockets H-IIA and H-IIB. It is these rockets that deliver scientific equipment and necessary equipment to the ISS. Up to 5 launches are made annually.
7. Sea launch "Odyssey" (International)
This unique floating spaceport, based on an ocean platform, was put into operation in 1999. Due to the fact that the platform is based on the zero parallel, launches from it are the most energetically beneficial due to the use of the maximum linear velocity of the Earth at the equator. The activities of Odyssey are controlled by a consortium that includes Boeing, RSC Energia, the Ukrainian design bureau Yuzhnoye, the Ukrainian production company Yuzhmash, which produces Zenit missiles, and the Norwegian shipbuilding company Aker Kværner.
"Odyssey" consists of two sea vessels - a platform with a launcher and a vessel that plays the role of a mission control center.
The launch pad was formerly a Japanese oil platform that has been refurbished and refurbished. Its dimensions are: length - 133 m, width - 67 m, height - 60 m, displacement - 46 thousand tons.
Zenith rockets, which are used to launch commercial satellites, belong to the middle class. They are capable of launching more than 6 tons of payload into orbit.
During the existence of the floating cosmodrome, about 40 launches were made on it.
On March 4, 1997, the first space launch took place from the new Russian cosmodrome Svobodny. It became the 20th cosmodrome in the world at that time. Now, the Vostochny cosmodrome is being built on the site of this launch pad, the commissioning of which is scheduled for 2018. Thus, Russia will already have 5 spaceports - more than China, but less than the United States. Today we will talk about the world's largest space sites.
Baikonur (Russia, Kazakhstan)
The oldest and largest to this day is Baikonur, opened in the steppes of Kazakhstan in 1957. Its area is 6717 sq. km. In the best years - the 60s - up to 40 launches per year were made on it. And there were 11 launch complexes. Over the entire period of the existence of the cosmodrome, more than 1300 launches were made from it.
According to this parameter, Baikonur is the leader in the world to this day. Every year, an average of two dozen rockets are launched into space here. Legally, the spaceport with all its infrastructure and vast territory belongs to Kazakhstan. And Russia leases it for $115 million a year. The lease is due to end in 2050.
However, even earlier, most of the Russian launches should be transferred to the Vostochny cosmodrome currently under construction in the Amur Region.
It has been in Florida since 1949. Initially, military aircraft were tested at the base, and later ballistic missile launches. It has been used as a test site for space launches since 1957. Without stopping military testing, in 1957, part of the launch pads was made available to NASA.
The first American satellites were launched here, the first American astronauts - Alan Shepard and Virgil Grissom (suborbital flights along a ballistic trajectory) and John Glenn (orbital flight) - went into flight from here. After that, the manned flight program moved to the newly rebuilt Space Center, which was named after Kennedy in 1963 after the death of the president.
From that moment on, the base began to be used to launch unmanned ships that delivered the necessary cargo to the astronauts into orbit, as well as sent automatic research stations to other planets and beyond the solar system.
Also, satellites, both civilian and military, have been launched and are being launched from Cape Canaverel. Due to the variety of problems solved on the basis of the tasks, 28 launch pads were built here. Currently, 4 are operational. Two more are maintained in working condition in anticipation of the start of production of modern Boeing X-37 shuttles, which should "retire" the Delta, Atlas and Titan missiles.
Created in Florida in 1962. Area - 557 sq. km. The number of employees is 14 thousand people. The complex is wholly owned by NASA. It was from here that all manned spacecraft started, starting with the flight in May 1962 of the fourth astronaut Scott Carpenter. Here the Apollo program was implemented, which culminated in the landing on the moon. From here all the American ships of reusable action - shuttles - flew away and returned here.
Now all the launch pads are in standby mode for new equipment. The last launch took place in 2011. However, the Center continues to work hard both on ISS flight control and on the development of new space programs.
It is located in Guiana, an overseas department of France located in the northeast of South America. The area is about 1200 sq. km. The Kourou spaceport was opened by the French space agency in 1968. Due to the small distance from the equator, it is possible to launch spacecraft from here with significant fuel savings, since the rocket is "pushed" by the large linear velocity of the Earth's rotation near the zero parallel.
In 1975, the French invited the European Space Agency (ESA) to use Kourou to carry out their programs. As a result, now France allocates 1/3 of the necessary funds for the maintenance and development of the cosmodrome, everything else lies with ESA. At the same time, ESA is the owner of three of the four launchers.
From here, the European nodes of the ISS and satellites go into space. Of the missiles, the Arian Euro-rocket produced in Toulouse prevails here. In total, more than 60 launches were made. At the same time, our Soyuz with commercial satellites launched five times from the cosmodrome.
China owns four spaceports. Two of them solve only military tasks, testing ballistic missiles, launching spy satellites, testing equipment for intercepting foreign space objects. Two have a dual purpose, ensuring not only the implementation of militaristic programs, but also the peaceful exploration of outer space.
The largest and oldest of them is the Jiuquan Cosmodrome. Operates since 1958. It occupies an area of 2800 sq. km.
At first, Soviet specialists taught the Chinese "brothers forever" the intricacies of the military space "craft" on it. In 1960, the first Soviet short-range missile was launched from here. Soon, a Chinese-made rocket successfully launched, in the creation of which Soviet specialists also participated. After there was a break in friendly relations between countries, the activity of the cosmodrome stalled.
Only in 1970, the first Chinese satellite was successfully launched from the cosmodrome. Ten years later, the first intercontinental ballistic missile was launched. And at the end of the century, the first descent spacecraft without a pilot went into space. In 2003, the first taikvonaut was in orbit.
Now 4 out of 7 launch pads are operating at the cosmodrome. 2 of them are reserved exclusively for the needs of the Ministry of Defense. Every year, 5-6 rockets are launched from the Jiuquan Cosmodrome.
Founded in 1969. Operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Located on the southeast coast of Tanegashima Island, in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The first primitive satellite was launched into orbit in 1970. Since then, Japan, with its strong technological base in the field of electronics, has made great strides in building both efficient orbiting satellites and heleocentric research stations.
At the cosmodrome, two launch pads are reserved for launches of suborbital geophysical vehicles, two serve heavy rockets H-IIA and H-IIB. It is these rockets that deliver scientific equipment and necessary equipment to the ISS. Up to 5 launches are made annually.
This unique floating spaceport, based on an ocean platform, was put into operation in 1999. Due to the fact that the platform is based on the zero parallel, launches from it are the most energetically beneficial due to the use of the maximum linear velocity of the Earth at the equator. The activities of Odyssey are controlled by a consortium that includes Boeing, RSC Energia, the Ukrainian design bureau Yuzhnoye, the Ukrainian production company Yuzhmash, which produces Zenit missiles, and the Norwegian shipbuilding company Aker Kværner.
"Odyssey" consists of two sea vessels - a platform with a launcher and a vessel that plays the role of a mission control center.
The launch pad was formerly a Japanese oil platform that has been refurbished and refurbished. Its dimensions are: length 133 m, width 67 m, height 60 m, displacement 46 thousand tons.
Zenith rockets, which are used to launch commercial satellites, belong to the middle class. They are capable of launching more than 6 tons of payload into orbit.
During the existence of the floating cosmodrome, about 40 launches were made on it.
And all the rest
In addition to the listed spaceports, there are 17 more. All of them are considered active.
Some of them, having survived the "former glory", greatly reduced their activity, or even completely frozen. Some serve only the military space sector. There are also those that are intensively developing and, very likely, will become “trendsetters of space fashion” over time.
Here is a list of countries with spaceports and their number, including those listed in this article
Russia - 4;
China - 4;
Japan - 2;
Brazil - 1;
Israel - 1;
India - 1;
Republic of Korea - 1;
