Carrying the Pakistani satellite called PakSat MM1, a Long March 3B rocket lifted off at 8:12 pm at the launch complex and soon placed the satellite into a geosynchronous orbit, the State-owned conglomerate said in a news release.

The PakSat MM1, designed and built by the China Academy of Space Technology, a CASC subsidiary, has a DFH-4 enhanced communication satellite structure and a designed life of about 15 years. The satellite, weighing 5.4 metric tons, is equipped with nine antennas and 48 transponders in C, Ku, Ka, and L bands. It will provide broadcasting, regional enhanced communications, and high-throughput broadband internet services across Pakistan, parts of the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, East Africa, and some parts of Europe, according to China Great Wall Industry, CASC's international trade arm that arranged the launch.

After in-orbit tests, it will be delivered to Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and will provide high-quality transponders and broadband access resources for Pakistanis and numerous users in the region, and significantly enhance satellite communications capacity of Pakistan, China Great Wall Industry said in a statement.

The Long March 3B rocket, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, another CASC subsidiary, is one of China's most used rocket types and has a strong operational record. Thursday's launch was the 96th flight of the Long March 3B and the 524th mission of the Long March family.

+ Chinese rocket launches 5 satellites into space China successfully launched the CERES-1 commercial carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Friday, sending a group of five satellites into space. The rocket blasted off at 7:39 am Beijing Time, marking the 13th flight mission of the CERES-1 series.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article

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