Site of the Former Guangde 603 Sounding Rocket Launch Facility

Site of the Former Guangde 603 Sounding Rocket Launch Facility

The site of the former Guangde 603 Sounding Rocket Launch Facility is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Anhui.

The site of the former Guangde 603 Sounding Rocket Launch Facility is located in Shijie Town, Guangde County, Anhui Province.

Built in 1960, it was China’s first sounding rocket launch site for biological experiments, also known as the “603 Base.” It includes more than ten supporting facilities such as the launch control room, engine test room, and launch pads on the launch site. From 1960 to 1966, a total of 11 launches were conducted using T-7 rockets and 4 using T-7M rockets at the 603 Base.

After the outbreak of the Cultural Revolution, the rocket launch base was gradually relocated to Jiuquan and Xichang. Only one launch pad and some buildings remain, and the original over 1,200-acre site has been converted into a forested project area. The 52-meter-high cage-type steel launch tower still stands proudly in the center of the 1,256-square-meter launch pad.

This site is a testament to the development of China’s space industry and the revolutionary spirit of patriotic scientists represented by Qian Xuesen, who dared to scale new heights. It is a tremendous spiritual asset for the people of China and an inexhaustible source of motivation for Chinese sons and daughters to build a strong socialist country and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Protected Area: A circular area with the launch tower at its center and a radius equal to the maximum distance of the hoist, which is 75 meters.

Construction Control Zone: The planned restart area of the base covers 2,300 acres.

Shijie Town: Shijie Town is located at the junction of Xuancheng, Langxi, and Guangde, 20 kilometers from the county seat of Guangde, and within 200 kilometers of major cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou, adjacent to the Yangtze River Delta region. Following administrative division adjustments, the newly formed greater Shijie Town consists of five former towns, covering an area of 342 square kilometers with a population of 75,000. It governs 18 Party general branches and 83 Party branches, with 2,821 Party members.

Shijie Town is surrounded by peaks, naturally forming a barrier, and features a unique geographical landscape that includes mountains, hills, and plains. It enjoys a mild climate, beautiful mountains and rivers, and abundant resources. The town boasts resources such as bamboo, timber, and agricultural products... More detailed information about Shijie Town ++