China’s newest spaceport, in Wenchang Province, designed to launch the nation’s new-generation rockets, including the heavy-load Long March-5. The £600m Centre became operational on 25 June 2016 with the successful launch of a medium-load Long March-7 rocket. The Centre’s location on Hainan Island offers many advantages, including a performance boost gained from the Earth’s rotational speed, larger rocket boosters to be transported by sea, and the ability to launch in a southeasterly direction toward the South Pacific and away from populated areas. Wenchang will gradually replace the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre and support the country’s ambitious space projects, including a permanent space station and deep space missions to the Moon and Mars.