Posted: Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 10:54 AM ET (1554 GMT)
China launched Algeria's first communications satellite Sunday. The Long March 3B lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 11:40 am EST (12:40 am Beijing time Monday) and placed the Alcomsat-1 spacecraft into orbit. The 5,225-kilogram satellite carries a payload of 33 Ku-, Ka- and L-band transponders. China built and launched the satellite in a deal similar to those it has signed with countries such as Belarus, Laos and Bolivia.

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