China launches Venezuela´s 1st satellite

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-31-2008 14:04

China has launched a communications satellite for Venezuela. It's the first such joint endeavor for the two countries.

China has launched a communications satellite  for Venezuela. It's the first such joint endeavor  for the two countries.

A Long March 3-B, carrying the communications satellite VENESAT-1, blasted off from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center early Thursday morning.

VENESAT-1 is Venezuela's first satellite. It's named after South American independence leader Simon Bolivar. The Venezuela Minister of Science and Technology says it will be used for telecom and broadcast services of Venezuela.

Dr. Nuris Orihuela, Venezuelan Minister of Sci. & Tech., said, "Venesat-1 is a communications satellite. It will serve primarily civilian telecommunications purposes. The satellite will not only benefit the people in Venezuela, but also people in the whole Latin America."

The satellite has a lifespan of 15 years and was developed by China Academy of Space Technology. The launch was the 11th for China's Long March 3-B rocket. As part of the agreement, China built two ground observation stations and a telereport for Venezuela.

China and Venezuela have seen bilateral trade and economic ties booming and diversifying in recent years. The launch represents the first cooperation in the area of satellite technology. This is the second time China has outsourced its satellite manufacturing and launching services to a foreign country. In May of last year, China launched a satellite for Nigeria.

Editor:Zhang Ning