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China to build and launch satellite for Belarus

China will build a communication satellite for Belarus and bring it into orbit

BEIJING, September 20 (Itar-Tass) — China will build a communication satellite for Belarus and bring it into orbit.

The contract was signed in Minsk on Sunday during the visit of the Chinese delegation led by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the China Daily newspaper reported on Tuesday.

“The contract with Belarus marks China’s expansion of satellite in-orbit delivery service to the European market,” said Yin Liming, president of China Great Wall Industry Corp.

This is China’s only corporation that is authorized to launch commercial satellites for foreign customers.

Aside from contract with Belarus China has another six contracts. However, Belarus is China’s first client on the European market.

The communications satellite will use the Dongfanghong-4 satellite platform and has a designed lifespan of 15 years.

It will be launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan province two years and a half after the contract takes effect.

China will also build a ground station in Minsk for Belarus to monitor the satellite, and provide training to Belarusian technicians.

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