...Long March-3B carrier rocket launched from the southwestern Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The rocket blasted off at 11:56 p.m., Beijing time. The satellite, developed by China Academy of Space Technology, will be used to meet the demands for China's radio and TV broadcasting and broadband multimedia transmissions, according to China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. Saturday's launch marked the 163th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)

Long March-3B carrier rocket blasts off from the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 26, 2012. China successfully sent a telecommunication satellite into orbit with its Long March-3B carrier rocket from southwest Xichang Satellite Launch Center Saturday evening. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)