China to launch new communications satellite in October
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-05 10:09 BEIJING -- China will launch
a new satellite for television broadcasting, mobile communications and other
services in late October this year, Sun Laiyan, administrator of the China
National Space Administration said here Tuesday.
The satellite, known as "Xinnuo 2", was given the green light to leave the
factory Monday after passing final checks by the Commission of Science,
Technology and Industry for National Defense.
A Long March 3B carrier rocket to be used to launch the satellite also passed
final checks on Monday.
"Xinnuo 2" is China's first large-capacity communications satellite,
according to experts from the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology.
The satellite will provide live television broadcasting services to the
Chinese mainland, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. It is designed to have
a lifespan of 15 years.
"Xinnuo 2", which has taken China six years to develop, marks a breakthrough
in China's development of a new generation of large-capacity static orbit
satellites, said Sun Laiyan.
China achieved several important technology breakthroughs through independent
research during the development of the satellite and holds intellectual property
rights over these technologies, he said.
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