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China currently has four launch centers (three inland and one coastal) and is building a floating one.
China is making progress with a spaceport to facilitate sea-based launch activity and development of rockets, satellites and related applications.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), the country's main space contractor, is developing the spaceport in Haiyang City on the coast of the eastern province of Shandong.
The 'Eastern aerospace port' will add to China's four established space launch centers and be a base for sea launches of light-lift solid rockets.
Use of a sea based launch site could reduce safety risks to civilians and also decrease visibility of launches.
Launches from inland sites often see spent stages threaten inhabited areas, requiring expensive safety and cleanup operations.
China's intention to buildout a 'satellite internet' is one of multiple infrastructure initiatives likely to benefit from the new launch center.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday September 02 2020, @04:58AM
More mirrors on the other hand does increase the light collecting area. The real advantage of microgravity environments will be that you can make a viable and enormous mirror out of really flimsy material, like metallised plastic film.
For starters, physical separation of more than 12k km.