China successfully launched a domestically manufactured high-power communications and broadcast satellite aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket Sunday. China successfully launched a domestically manufactured high-power communications and broadcast satellite aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket Sunday. The new-generation SinoSat-2 satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, is designed to provide broadcast TV, digital TV, live broadcast TV and digital broadband multimedia services to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The satellite split off from the rocket about 25 minutes after its 00:20 lift-off, entering a geosynchronous transfer orbit. SinoSat-2, mainly developed and manufactured by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, weighs about 5.1 tons and has 22 transponders. It is designed to last for 15 years, spending 12 years in orbit. The carrier rocket used in the launch was developed and manufactured by the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The launch marked the 93rd flight for the Long March series of carrier rockets and China's 51st consecutive successful space launch since October 1996. A SINO Satellite Communications Co Ltd (SINOSAT) official said SinoSat-2 will improve the capacity, safety and reliability of China's information broadcasts and make it easier to carry out live TV broadcasts. The original SinoSat-1 satellite, launched in July 1998, was designed to boost China's radio and TV broadcasts and communications services in the Asia-Pacific Region. SinoSat-3, intended specifically for radio and TV services, is currently being developed. It will go into operation in 2007, according to the official. 點擊查看更多雙語新聞 (Agencies)

上周日，我國自行研制的新一代大功率通信廣播衛星“鑫諾二號”，在我國西南部的四川西昌衛星發射中心由“長征三號乙”運載火箭發射成功。 “鑫諾二號”通信衛星將為我國大陸及港、澳、臺地區的廣播電視、數字電視、直播電視和數字寬帶多媒體用戶提供服務。 “鑫諾二號”衛星于29日零時20分點火升空，25分鐘后與運載火箭分離，進入地球同步轉移軌道。 由中國空間技術研究院開發研制的“鑫諾二號”通信衛星重約5.1噸，星上載有22個轉發器。這顆直播衛星的設計壽命為15年，在軌服務壽命為12年。 用于發射的“長征三號乙”運載火箭由中國運載火箭技術研究院開發研制，本次發射是長征系列運載火箭的第93次飛行，也是1996年10月以來我國航天發射連續第51次獲得成功。 鑫諾衛星通信有限公司的一位負責人說，“鑫諾二號”的投入使用，將會提高我國信息廣播的能力及安全性和可靠性，對于開展電視直播業務也有重大意義。 于1998年7月發射升空的“鑫諾一號”通信衛星主要用于推動我國廣播電視和亞太地區通訊傳輸業務的發展。 據介紹，目前正在研制的“鑫諾三號”衛星將專門用于廣播和電視服務，計劃于明年投入使用。 （英語點津姍姍編輯）