Beijing, Sept 20 (ANI): China and Belarus have reportedly signed a contract that will allow Beijing to build and launch a communications satellite for the latter.
It is the seventh in-orbit delivery contract that China has signed, but the first with a European client, China Great Wall Industry Corp, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said on Monday, the China Daily reports.
"The contract with Belarus marks China's expansion of satellite in-orbit delivery service to the European market," Yin Liming, president of China Great Wall Industry Corp, the only one in China authorized to conduct commercial launches for international customers, said.
The paper quoted the contract as saying that the communications satellite will use the Dongfanghong-4 satellite platform and has a designed lifespan of 15 years.
It will be launched atop a Long March 3-B rocket carrier at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province two years and a half after the contract takes effect.
Reports suggest that China will also build a ground station in Minsk for Belarus to monitor and control the satellite, and provide related training to Belarusian technicians.
Different from the past six contracts for in-orbit delivery of communications satellites, this project is the first time that China Great Wall Industry Corp has joined in the satellite's operation.
"It marks an extension to our service chain," Yin added.
Belarus would reportedly use the communications satellite to improve radio, television and telecommunications service, distance learning and Internet access. (ANI)
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