China expands hangar at site linked to surveillance balloons

Satellite imagery showing new construction at the aerostat or airship site within Korla Test Range East in China. (Map data: Google, 2024 CNES/Airbus/2025 Janes)

China has expanded a hangar at the site in Korla, Xinjiang, which is linked to several lighter-than-air military craft programmes including the high-altitude balloon that flew over US airspace in January–February 2023.

The massive hangar is equipped with a 900 m deployment track and cradle that can support the deployment of airships, aerostats, and surveillance balloons.

A satellite image taken in August 2024 indicates that the hangar, which measures approximately 270×140 m, has been expanded with a 90 m extension on the eastern side of the building.

This extension paves the way for the hangar to accommodate and stage operations for larger or a higher number of airships, aerostats, and surveillance balloons.

According to the satellite image, work on the extension was in advanced stages with its roof completed. However, ongoing construction activities can be observed around and in the vicinity of the building.

Besides the extension, China is constructing what appears to be a multi-storey ancillary building to the south of the hangar. This will presumably be utilised as an administration building or a research and development centre for lighter-than-air military craft programmes.

Work on the 130×40 m ancillary building was in progress at the time the satellite image was taken but it may well be into its completion by early 2025.

An additional facility that appears to have been completed or is close to completion as per the satellite image is a cluster of buildings located about 1 km east of the hangar.