China agrees to deliver a telecom satellite to Pak

Beijing, Oct. 17 : China will launch a telecommunication satellite "PakSat-1R" for Pakistan in 2011. Contracts for the satellite deal were sealed on Wednesday in the presence of presidents from both countries. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is in Beijing on his first four-day state visit.

This is the third time China has delivered a satellite to another country. In 2007, two satellites were sent to Nigeria.

The satellite's chief contractor, the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) said that a "Long March 3B" rocket will be used to put the satellite into the orbit. The company said ground control facilities for the satellite will be delivered to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission after it enters orbit.

The satellite would be launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern Sichuan Province.

CGWIC and its sub-contractors are responsible for the design, manufacturing, final assembly, testing and launch of the satellite, which has a life span of 15 years, reported Xinhua.

According to the report, Pakistan will use it for domestic telecommunication and broadcast services.

ANI