(Associated Press WorldStream via NewsEdge) China launched the domestically produced Sinosat-2 communications satellite into orbit Sunday to provide wider and more advanced television services across the country, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
A Long March-3B rocket lifted off from the Xichang launching site in western Sichuan province and placed the 5.1-ton satellite into orbit, Xinhua said.
The Sinosat-2 satellite was built by the China Academy of Space Technology for Sino Satellite Communications, a state-run provider of satellite communications.
Sinosat-2 is designed to provide broader coverage of TV signals and allow for more digital and live broadcast TV services across China, Xinhua said.
China's decades-old aerospace program has gathered momentum in recent years, allowing the country to place more advanced satellites into orbit for both commercial and military purposes.
Sinosat-1, built by the French company Aerospatiale, was launched in 1998. Sinosat plans to launch a third satellite next year mainly to provide radio and TV services, Xinhua said.
© 2006 The Associated Press
© 2006 Dialog, a Thomson business. All rights reserved
Related content
- Motive Big Network Analytics - Infographic
- MBB viewpoint: The market situation, key challenges and strategies
- FiberHome products are serving more than 20 million subscribers in Asia Pacific with its FTTH integrated solution.
- At a glance: Global SaaS market and Huawei's CSB Cloud Marketplace
- Taming the Big Data beast