China launches 1st high-throughput communications satellite

Shijian-13, China’s first high-throughput communications satellite, was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan Province at 7:04 p.m. on Wednesday.
The satellite, with a transfer capacity of 20 per gigabit per second (Gbps) and a designed orbital life of 15 years, was sent into orbit on a Long March-3B carrier rocket.
The satellite is capable of providing better Internet access on planes and high-speed trains, as well as in less-developed regions.
“The launch is a huge milestone for China’s communications satellite technology,’’ said Tian Yulong, chief engineer of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.