As the first launch of its New Year (Year of the Rabbit), China has placed a communications satellite into orbit. At 1149 GMT on 23 February a Long March 3B (CZ-3B) rocket lifted-off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and successfully carried Chinasat 26 (Zhongxing 26) to orbit. The satellite was deployed into GTO and will propel itself up into GEO. Launched for China Satcom it is equipped for High-Throughput satellite (HTS) and vehicle, ship, and airborne mobile communication services.

The Long March 3B rocket lifts-off from Xichang, China. Courtesy of CAST and Che Yuanyuan/Gao Jian