Chinese Rocket Puts U.S.-Made Satellite in Orbit

A Chinese rocket lifted a U.S.-made telecommunications satellite into space Saturday, marking the nation’s debut in the international satellite-launching business.

Applause broke out in the launch control room as the flaming tail of the Long March 3 rocket disappeared into the nighttime skies over the Xichang Satellite Center in southwest China’s Sichuan province.

Attending the launch were about 400 invited guests from around the world, including many from satellite maker Hughes Aircraft Co., and U.S. Ambassador James R. Lilley.

The rocket lifted into orbit an Asiasat satellite owned by the Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd., a Hong Kong-based consortium with Chinese, British and Hong Kong partners.

The 2,750-pound satellite will be used to transmit television, telephone and other communications signals to Asian countries.

China, which has launched 26 of its own satellites, hopes the successful launch of the Asiasat will attract other customers who face long waits for satellite launches.

The launch of the Asiasat was almost blocked by a U.S. weapons ban imposed after Chinese troops crushed a pro-democracy demonstration in Beijing last June. But President Bush waived the ban for Asiasat.

The Asiasat satellite is on its second trip into space. It was launched in 1984 as the Westar-6 but failed to reach its proper orbit. It was recovered by the U.S. space shuttle and then sold to Asia Satellite Telecommunications.

It is estimated to have a 10-year life span.