At 1607 GMT on 20 November 2015, a Long March 3B/G2 rocket successfully lifted off from the Xichang launch site in China. On board was the first communications satellite for the nation of Laos called LAOSAT-1. The launch took place under a construction and delivery to orbit turnkey contract organised by the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC). The satellite used the newest version of the DFH-3 platform, the DFH-3B, built by CAST. LAOSAT-1 carries a communications payload of 14 extended C-band transponders and 8 extended Ku-band transponders. After its initial injection into a super-synchronous transfer orbit (41,778 x 189km at 18.4 degrees inclination) the spacecraft will use its own propulsion systems to position itself in a near 36,000km circular zero inclination orbit at the 128.5 degrees East longitude in the Geostationary arc.