Chinese-made satellite launched for Belarus
Updated: 2016-01-16 03:16
By Zhao Lei(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||
![]() |
The BELINTERSAT-1 is launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province, Jan 16, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] |
A Chinese communications satellite was launched for Belarus on Saturday morning, marking the first Chinese satellite made for a European country.
The BELINTERSAT-1, the first communications satellite to be operated by Belarus, will contribute to improving radio, television and telecommunications, as well as Internet service, in the Eastern European nation and its neighboring regions, said China Great Wall Industry Corp, major contractor of the project.
The satellite was lifted atop a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. It was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology based on the DFH-4 satellite platform. Carrying 38 transponders, the satellite has a designed life span of 15 years, according to the company.
China first sold its communications satellite to an overseas buyer in 2007 when the NigcomSat-1 was launched and then handed over to Nigeria. Since then, the country has exported communications satellites to a host of developing nations, such as Venezuela, Pakistan and Bolivia.
Saturday's launch was China's first space mission of 2016, a year that will witness more than 20 Chinese space activities, including the Shenzhou XI manned spacecraft mission and the missions of the Long March 5 and Long March 7 rockets.
China has launched 43 rockets to put 49 satellites into orbit for 20 foreign clients since 1990, when it made its first commercial launch, of a communications satellite atop a Long March 3 rocket.
zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
- Shanghai Pudong Airport starts construction world's largest satellite terminal
- NASA reveals entire alphabet but F in satellite images
- Science satellite launched into orbit
- Gaofen satellite system generates millions of images for China's ministries, regional governments
- Satellite launched to provide data, images from across Southeast Asia
- China launches high-definition earth observation satellite
- A glimpse of Spring Rush: little migrant birds on the way home
- Policy puts focus on genuine artistic students
- Police unravel market where babies are bought, sold as commodities
- More older pregnant women expected
- Netizen backlash 'ugly' Spring Festival Gala mascot
- China builds Mongolian language corpus
- 2 Chinese nationals killed, 1 injured in suspected bomb attack in Laos
- New York, Washington clean up after fatal blizzard
- 'Plane wreckage' found in Thailand fuels talk of missing Malaysian jet
- Washington shuts down govt, NY rebounds after blizzard
- 7 policemen, 3 civilians killed in Egypt's Giza blast
- Former US Marine held in Iran arrives home after swap
Drone makers see soaring growth but dark clouds circle industry
China's Zhang reaches Australian Open quarterfinals
Spring Festival in the eyes of Chinese painters
Cold snap brings joy and beauty to south China
The making of China Daily's Tibetan-style English font
First trains of Spring Festival travel depart around China
Dough figurines of Monkey King welcome the New Year
Ning Zetao, Liu Hong named China's athletes of the year
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
Today's Top News
National Art Museum showing 400 puppets in new exhibition
Finest Chinese porcelains expected to fetch over $28 million
Monkey portraits by Chinese ink painting masters
Beijing's movie fans in for new experience
Obama to deliver final State of the Union speech
Shooting rampage at US social services agency leaves 14 dead
Chinese bargain hunters are changing the retail game
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
US Weekly
![]()
|
![]()
|