China launches telecom satellite for Venezuela

Source: Xinhua | 10-30-2008 08:37

XICHANG, Sichuan Province, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- China successfully sent a Venezuelan telecommunication satellite into space on the early morning of Thursday.

It is China's first contract of manufacture and launching service for a Latin American country.

A Long March 3II rocket carrying a Venezuelan  telecommunication satellite blasts off from  the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province,  Oct. 30, 2008. China successfully sent a  Venezuelan telecommunication satellite into  space on the early morning of Thursday. It is  China's first contract of manufacture and  launching service for a Latin American  country.(Xinhua Photo)

Carried by a Long March 3II rocket, the satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center located in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The satellite was produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation with an all-up weight of 5,100 kg and an designed longevity of 15 years.