A Long March 3II rocket carried the Venezuelan comsat into space from the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on October 30, 2008. The satellite was produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation with an all-up weight of 5,100 kg and an expected lifetime of 15 years and is based on the DFH-4 bus. The satellite is called Venezuela-1 and is also known as Simon Bolivar Satellite or by the official United Nations designation, VENESAT-1. It will be used in broadcasting, tele-education, as well as medical services. VENESAT-1's footprint will encompass most of the regions of South America and the Caribbean. The satellite will also be used by Uruguay, as that country has availed Venezuela of the use of their orbital slot at 78° E above Ecuador. The Venezuelan satellite is the 111th space flight of the Long March rocket family. (The launch photo is courtesy of Xinhua)
Satnews Daily
October 30th, 2008
Simon Bolivar Satellite Launched By China For Venezuela
A Long March 3II rocket carried the Venezuelan comsat into space from the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on October 30, 2008. The satellite was produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation with an all-up weight of 5,100 kg and an expected lifetime of 15 years and is based on the DFH-4 bus. The satellite is called Venezuela-1 and is also known as Simon Bolivar Satellite or by the official United Nations designation, VENESAT-1. It will be used in broadcasting, tele-education, as well as medical services. VENESAT-1's footprint will encompass most of the regions of South America and the Caribbean. The satellite will also be used by Uruguay, as that country has availed Venezuela of the use of their orbital slot at 78° E above Ecuador. The Venezuelan satellite is the 111th space flight of the Long March rocket family. (The launch photo is courtesy of Xinhua)