China successfully launched a domestically manufactured high-power communications and broadcast satellite aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket Sunday.

　　The new-generation SinoSat-2 satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, is designed to provide broadcast TV, digital TV, live broadcast TV and digital broadband multimedia services to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

　　The satellite split off from the rocket about 25 minutes after its 00:20 lift-off, entering a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

　　SinoSat-2, mainly developed and manufactured by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, weighs about 5.1 tons and has 22 transponders. It is designed to last for 15 years, spending 12 years in orbit.

　　The carrier rocket used in the launch was developed and manufactured by the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The launch marked the 93rd flight for the Long March series of carrier rockets and China's 51st consecutive successful space launch since October 1996.

　　A SINO Satellite Communications Co Ltd (SINOSAT) official said SinoSat-2 will improve the capacity, safety and reliability of China's information broadcasts and make it easier to carry out live TV broadcasts.

　　The original SinoSat-1 satellite, launched in July 1998, was designed to boost China's radio and TV broadcasts and communications services in the Asia-Pacific Region.

　　SinoSat-3, intended specifically for radio and TV services, is currently being developed. It will go into operation in 2007, according to the official.

　　(Agencies)

　　上周日，我国自行研制的新一代大功率通信广播卫星“鑫诺二号”，在我国西南部的四川西昌卫星发射中心由“长征三号乙”运载火箭发射成功。

　　“鑫诺二号”通信卫星将为我国大陆及港、澳、台地区的广播电视、数字电视、直播电视和数字宽带多媒体用户提供服务。

　　“鑫诺二号”卫星于29日零时20分点火升空，25分钟后与运载火箭分离，进入地球同步转移轨道。

　　由中国空间技术研究院开发研制的“鑫诺二号”通信卫星重约5.1吨，星上载有22个转发器。这颗直播卫星的设计寿命为15年，在轨服务寿命为12年。

　　用于发射的“长征三号乙”运载火箭由中国运载火箭技术研究院开发研制，本次发射是长征系列运载火箭的第93次飞行，也是1996年10月以来我国航天发射连续第51次获得成功。

　　鑫诺卫星通信有限公司的一位负责人说，“鑫诺二号”的投入使用，将会提高我国信息广播的能力及安全性和可靠性，对于开展电视直播业务也有重大意义。

　　于1998年7月发射升空的“鑫诺一号”通信卫星主要用于推动我国广播电视和亚太地区通讯传输业务的发展。

　　据介绍，目前正在研制的“鑫诺三号”卫星将专门用于广播和电视服务，计划于明年投入使用。

　　Vocabulary:

　　lift-off : 发射升空

(责任编辑：汪春)