China launches new communication technology experiment satellite
China successfully launched a new communication technology experiment satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province Tuesday.
The satellite was launched at 11:41 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully.
This launch marked the 386th mission for the Long March series carrier rockets.
The Long March-3B carrier rocket is over 56 meters long and weighs 456 tons. It was developed by a division under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The new rocket boasts improved efficiency, engine reliability and payload capacity.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China’s main space contractor, confirmed (Chinese) that the satellite had been successfully inserted into geosynchronous transfer orbit — a path satellites take to reach a geostationary orbit high above the Earth within an hour of launch.
Xinhua