China launches new communication satellite

A Long March-3B carrier rocket is launched in Xichang, Southwest China's Sichuan province, Nov 27, 2012. China successfully sent a French-made communication satellite "APSTAR-7B" into orbit with a Long March-3B carrier rocket launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

XICHANG, Sichuan province - China successfully sent a communication satellite into space on Tuesday evening.

Conditions of Chinasat 12 are normal after it was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan province at 6:13 pm. It has reached a preset orbit, according to a monitoring center based in Xi'an.

The satellite, the 13th commercial orbiter operated by the China Satellite Communications Co Ltd, will provide telecommunications services for its customers in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Manufactured by France's Thales Alenia Space, Chinasat 12 was launched by the Long March-3B carrier rocket. It was the 173rd launch mission for the Long March series of carrier rockets.