China has successfully launched a new communication satellite into space. The 'ChinaSat 2C' satellite will be used for various services within the country.

The satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan province. It was carried by the Long March-3B carrier rocket.

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"ChinaSat 2C” was developed by China Academy of Space Technology and is owned by China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd, according to China Daily. The satellite has a heavy payload with better reliability and increased power supply. 

"ChinaSat 2C" will provide radio, TV transmission and broadband services for the country's radio stations, TV stations, broadband services, radio transmitting stations and cable networks, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.

The Long March-3B is the most powerful rocket in China’s inventory. This year China also plans to unveil a more powerful rocket, Long March 5, and seven more will be launched next year.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket, which was launched in 1986, is the basis for the flight proven technology of Long March launch vehicles. The goal of this carrier is to meet the demand of the international satellite launch market, especially for high power and heavy communications satellites, NASA SpaceFlight reported. 

The secretive nature of the launch of ChinaSat 2C could indicate that the satellite would be used for military purposes. Experts named the satellite as military Zhongxing-2C. This is possibly the second satellite of the second generation Shentong geostationary military communication satellites.

There are other satellites of this type designed for military communication that can also provide secure voice and data communications services for ground users using Ku-band.

The new satellite launch by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC) marks the 214th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series and also the 13th launch in 2015.

TagsChina Sends Off New Communication Satellite 'ChinaSat 2C', china satellite, Satellite ChinaSat 2C, China communication satelite, ChinaSat 2C