The China Great Wall Industry Corp (CGWIC), the country's
satellite launch service contractor, and China
Satcom signed a deal yesterday on the launch of a French-made
broadcast satellite.
According to the deal, CGWIC will, through the China Academy of
Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and
Technology Corp (CASC), provide the
launch service for China Satcom, owner of the satellite.
The satellite, which will be manufactured by French company
Alcatel Alenia Space, is expected to be lifted into space in 2007
atop a Chinese-made rocket Long March 3B from the Xichang Satellite
Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
With a designed life of 15 years, the satellite, known as
"ChinaSat 6B" Radio and TV Satellite, will be fitted with 38
transponder, allowing easy reception of up to 300 television
programs across China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Oceania.
China's Long March rocket carriers have been used to offer 24
international commercial satellite launch services since 1990,
involving 30 satellites and six payload services.
The rocket carriers have enjoyed a reputation of high
reliability thanks to their record of 46 successful consecutive
launches since October 1996, including the country's two manned
space launches.
China Satcom, or the China Satellite Communications Corporation,
is one of the country's six telecommunications operators in
China.
Alcatel Space, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcatel, is the
world's third largest satellite manufacturer and the largest in
Europe.
(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2006)