China launches new communication satellite into space

BEIJING

China launched a new communication satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (CASC) in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sunday.

The "ChinaSat 6C" satellite was launched by a Long March-3B carrier rocket, which completed its 300th launch mission.

China had launched more than 500 spacecraft into orbit since 1970.

The Long March carrier rocket series, enhanced by CASC, constitutes more than 95 percent of all the launch missions in China.

The launched satellite will provide high-quality radio and TV transmission services.

The satellite will perform its duty at the geostationary orbit, and it will contain the islands in China, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

China draws attention with its busy activities in the field of space industry. The country's spacecraft became the first to land on the moon on Jan. 2.

A scout vehicle into Mars is planned to be launched in July or August 2020. China also plans to launch an exploration mission to the Jupiter around 2029.

Writing by Zehra Nur Duz