Launch Sites

Arnhem 

Sign displaying Arnhem Space Centre, Australia's spaceport at 12 degrees south of the equator, located in remote Australia, with a sunset sky and dirt ground.

Arnhem Space Centre Australia

Arnhem Space Centre is Australia’s first equatorial launch site, operated by Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA). Located in the Northern Territory, it supports government and commercial launches.

Coordinates: 12°13′00″S 136°49′00″E

•Primary Launch Pad: Used for NASA and commercial rockets.

Associated Rockets: Suborbital sounding rockets, future commercial launchers

Capabilities: Supports suborbital and orbital missions, including NASA’s first commercial launches from Australia in 2022.

Baikonur

A rocket on a launch pad under construction in a desert landscape with a tall, lattice tower nearby.

Baikonur Cosmodrome Kazakhstan

Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility, located in southern Kazakhstan. Baikonur Cosmodrome is Russia’s primary human spaceflight and heavy-lift launch site, leased from Kazakhstan. It supports Soyuz, Proton, and future crewed programs

Coordinates: 45°37′12″N 63°18′36″E

•LC-1/5: Used for Soyuz crewed and cargo launches.

•LC-81/24 & LC-200/39: Used for Proton-M launches.

•LC-31/6: Supports Soyuz-2 missions.

•LC-1/5: Used for Soyuz crewed flights to the ISS.

•LC-200/39 & LC-81/24: Supports Proton-M launches.

•LC-110: Used for Energia-Buran (historical site).

Associated Rockets: Soyuz-2, Soyuz-FG, Proton-M, Zenit-3SLB, Long March 2F (leased for Shenzhou test flights) Angara A5 (planned)

Capabilities: Baikonur supports a wide range of launch azimuths, enabling missions to LEO, GTO, lunar, and interplanetary destinations including human spaceflight operations.

Cape Canaveral

A U.S. Space Force rocket launching, with flames and smoke, near radio towers and a sign for Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station USA

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is one of the world’s most active spaceports, supporting government, military, and commercial space launches. Located in Florida, it is home to multiple launch pads for NASA, SpaceX, ULA, and other providers.

Coordinates: 28°24′45″N 80°36′15″W

•LC-40: Used for Falcon 9 missions.

•LC-41: Supports Atlas V launches.

•LC-37B: Dedicated to Delta IV Heavy missions.

Associated Rockets: Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Atlas V, Delta IV Heavy, Vulcan Centaur

Capabilities: Supports LEO, GTO, lunar, and interplanetary missions, including Artemis, ISS resupply, and national security launches.

Imam

Tall building surrounded by four communication antennas against a partly cloudy sky with the sun shining.

Imam Khomeini Space Centre Iran

Imam Khomeini Space Centre is Iran’s primary space launch facility, located in Semnan Province. It supports satellite launches for civilian and military applications and is home to Iran's domestically developed rockets.

Coordinates: 35°14′05″N 53°57′32″E

• Primary Launch Complex: Used for Safir, Simorgh, and Qaem-class rockets.

Associated Rockets: Safir, Simorgh, Qaem

Capabilities: Supports LEO satellite launches, with aspirations for higher payload capacity and crewed missions.

Jiuquan 

A large rocket on display at a space launch facility with a crowd gathered around, and a tall building in the background.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre China

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC) is China’s oldest launch facility, located in the Gobi Desert. It is primarily used for human spaceflight, military satellites, and small payload launches.

Coordinates: 40°57′36″N 100°17′30″E

• LC-43/91: Used for Shenzhou crewed missions on Long March 2F.

• LC-43/94: Supports Long March 2C, 2D, and 4C launches.

Associated Rockets: Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 2F, Long March 4C, Ceres-1, Hyperbola-1, Tianlong-2

Capabilities: Jiuquan supports LEO, SSO, and crewed orbital missions, making it China’s primary human spaceflight launch site.

Kennedy

Sign for John F Kennedy Space Center operated by NASA, indicating restricted access area with a rocket in the background.

Kennedy Space Centre USA

Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) is NASA’s primary space launch facility, used for crew, lunar, and deep-space missions. Located in Florida, it was home to the Apollo Moon landings and Space Shuttle program.

Coordinates: 28°35′06″N 80°39′04″W

•LC-39A: Used for Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and future Starship missions.

•LC-39B: Dedicated to NASA’s Artemis and SLS programs.

Associated Rockets: Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Space Launch System (SLS), Starship (future)

Capabilities: Supports LEO, GTO, lunar, and Mars missions, serving as the launch site for NASA’s crewed spaceflight.

Plesetsk

A large rocket is positioned on a blue launch pad, with people nearby for scale, set in a green, forested area.

Plesetsk Cosmodrome Russia

Plesetsk Cosmodrome is Russia’s primary military and polar-orbit launch site, located in the Arkhangelsk region. It specializes in defense, reconnaissance, and Earth observation missions.

Coordinates: 62°55′30″N 40°34′00″E

•LC-43: Used for Soyuz-2.1a and 2.1b military launches.

•LC-35: Supports Angara-1.2 and Angara A5 test flights.

Associated Rockets: Soyuz-2.1a, Soyuz-2.1b, Angara-1.2, Angara A5

Capabilities: Plesetsk specializes in high-inclination, polar, and military satellite launches.

Mahia

Aerial view of a small Coast Guard station with boats docked and a lighthouse, near the ocean.

Mahia Launch Complex 1 New Zealand

Mahia Launch Complex 1 (LC-1) is the world’s first privately owned orbital launch site, operated by Rocket Lab for small satellite missions. It is located on the Mahia Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island.

Coordinates: 39°15′48″S 177°52′48″E

•LC-1A & LC-1B: Dedicated to Electron launches.

Associated Rockets: Electron,

Capabilities: Supports LEO, SSO, and rideshare missions, providing high-frequency, commercial launch services.

Satish Dhawan  

A rocket on a launch pad with a tall building and trees in the background.

Satish Dhawan Space Centre India

Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is India’s primary space launch site, operated by ISRO. Located on Sriharikota Island, it supports satellite, crewed, and interplanetary missions.

Coordinates: 13°43′58″N 80°13′58″E

•First Launch Pad (FLP): Used for PSLV and GSLV missions.

•Second Launch Pad (SLP): Supports GSLV Mk III and human spaceflight.

Associated Rockets: PSLV, GSLV, GSLV Mk III (LVM3), SSLV, future reusable rockets

Capabilities: Supports LEO, GTO, lunar, and Mars missions, including Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan programs.

Sohae

A rocket launched from a space launch pad during daytime with mountains in the background.

Sohae Satellite Launching Station North Korea

Sohae Satellite Launching Station (Tongchang-ri) is North Korea’s main space launch site, located on the country’s northwest coast. It is used for satellite launches, long-range missile testing, and military space programs.

Coordinates: 39°39′36″N 124°42′00″E

•Primary Launch Pad: Used for Unha, Kwangmyongsong, and Chollima-class rockets.

Associated Rockets: Unha, Kwangmyongsong, Chollima-1

Capabilities: Supports polar and sun-synchronous orbit launches, with a focus on military reconnaissance and communications satellites.

Tanegashima

Rocket launch site with multiple rockets on a launch pad overlooking the ocean

Tanegashima Space Centre Japan

Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) is Japan’s primary space launch facility, operated by JAXA for satellite, cargo, and interplanetary missions. Located on Tanegashima Island, it is one of the most scenic launch sites in the world.

Coordinates: 30°24′03″N 130°58′24″E

•Yoshinobu Launch Complex: Used for H-IIA and H3 rockets.

•Osaki Launch Complex: Previously used for N-I, N-II, and H-I rockets.

Associated Rockets: H-IIA, H3, Epsilon (historical)

Capabilities: Supports LEO, GTO, lunar, and interplanetary missions, including HTV cargo flights to the ISS.

Taiyuan

A rocket launching from a space center, with smoke and flames around the base, and a building with Chinese characters in the background.

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre China

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre (TSLC) is China’s primary site for sun-synchronous and polar orbit launches, located in Shanxi Province. It is used for Earth observation, weather, and reconnaissance satellites.

Coordinates: 38°50′24″N 111°36′00″E

•LC-9: Used for Long March 2C and 2D launches.

•LC-16: Supports Long March 4A, 4B, and 4C missions.

Associated Rockets: Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 4A, Long March 4B, Long March 4C

Capabilities: Taiyuan specializes in SSO, polar, and high-inclination launches for Earth science and military satellites.

Uchinoura

A tall building with a construction crane on a concrete foundation near the ocean, surrounded by greenery.

Uchinoura Space Centre Japan

Uchinoura Space Centre (USC) is Japan’s main launch site for small-lift and scientific missions, operated by JAXA. It specializes in solid-fueled rocket launches for Earth observation and planetary exploration.

Coordinates: 31°15′26″N 131°04′43″E

•Primary Launch Pad: Used for Epsilon and S-Series rockets.

Associated Rockets: Epsilon, S-Series (historical)

Capabilities: Supports SSO, deep-space, and scientific missions, serving as Japan’s small satellite launch hub.

Vandenberg

Sign on a stone wall reading 'Vandenberg Space Force Base' with greenery and flowers in front, trees and a blue sky in background.

Vandenberg Space Force Base USA

Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) is the USA’s primary launch site for polar and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) missions, supporting military, Earth observation, and commercial satellites. It is located in California.

Coordinates: 34°44′00″N 120°34′00″W

• SLC-2W: Used for Firefly Alpha launches.

• SLC-4E: Dedicated to Falcon 9 missions.

• SLC-6: Previously used for Delta IV Heavy missions.

Associated Rockets: Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Firefly Alpha, Delta IV Heavy (retired), Vulcan Centaur (future)

Capabilities: Supports SSO, polar, and interplanetary missions, playing a key role in national security and commercial space operations.

Vostochny

A rocket launching from a space launch pad at a nuclear power plant.

Vostochny Cosmodrome Russia

Vostochny Cosmodrome is Russia’s newest spaceport, built to reduce reliance on Baikonur and expand independent launch capabilities. Located in the Amur region, it is designed for Soyuz, Angara, and future heavy-lift rockets.

Coordinates: 51°53′42″N 128°20′18″E

•LC-1S: Used for Soyuz-2.1a and 2.1b launches.

•Planned Pad: Future Angara A5 and super-heavy rocket launches.

Associated Rockets: Soyuz-2.1a, Soyuz-2.1b, Angara A5 (planned)

Capabilities: Vostochny supports LEO, GTO, and interplanetary missions, with modern infrastructure for human spaceflight.

Wallops

Entrance to Wallops Flight Facility with a sign, American flag, and two rockets on display outside.

Wallops Flight Facility USA

Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) is NASA’s primary small-satellite launch site, located in Virginia. It supports government and commercial missions to LEO and ISS resupply.

Coordinates: 37°50′07″N 75°29′02″W

•Pad 0A: Used for Antares rocket launches to the ISS.

•Pad 0B: Supports Minotaur rocket missions.

•LC-2: Dedicated to Rocket Lab’s Electron missions.

Associated Rockets: Antares, Minotaur, Electron

Capabilities: Supports LEO, ISS resupply, and defense-related launches, with a focus on rapid-response missions.

Wenchang

A rocket on a launch pad with supporting towers and structures, set against a landscape with trees and fields.

Wenchang Space Launch Site China

Wenchang Space Launch Site is China’s newest and southernmost launch facility, located in Wenchang, Hainan Province. Its coastal location allows for high-mass payloads and safer downrange debris management.

Coordinates: 19°36′52.17″N 110°57′4.08″E

•LC-101: Supports Long March 5 and Long March 5B launches.

•LC-201: Used for Long March 7 and Long March 8 missions.

Associated Rockets: Long March 5, Long March 5B, Long March 7, Long March 8

Capabilities: Wenchang enables launches to various orbital inclinations (90°–175°), making it suitable for LEO, GEO, lunar, and deep-space missions.

Whalers Way

Rocket launch pad with a rocket preparing for launch, surrounded by vehicles, equipment, and support personnel, set in a coastal landscape with sandy roads and vegetation, near the ocean under partly cloudy skies.

Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex Australia

Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex is Australia’s first commercial spaceport, operated by Southern Launch. Located in South Australia, it supports small satellite missions.

Coordinates: 34°50′10″S 135°39′44″E

•Primary Launch Pad: Supports suborbital and small orbital launches.

Associated Rockets: Eris (Gilmour Space), Kestrel (ATS)

Capabilities: Supports polar and sun-synchronous launches, with expanding commercial space operations.

Xichang

A tall, modern building under construction surrounded by smaller buildings and greenery in a mountainous area.

Xichang Satellite Launch Centre China

Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC) is China’s primary site for geostationary and interplanetary launches, located in Sichuan Province. It supports high-energy orbits and deep-space missions.

Coordinates: 28°14′07″N 102°01′27″E

•LC-2: Used for Long March 3A, 3B, and 3C launches.

•LC-3: Supports Long March 3B/E and interplanetary missions.

Associated Rockets: Long March 3A, Long March 3B, Long March 3B/E, Long March 3C

Capabilities: Xichang specializes in GEO, lunar, and interplanetary missions, with a launch azimuth of 97°–104°.