China successfully launched an Australian communications satellite on Sunday at its Xichang launch centre in the southwest province of Sichuan: the Optus b3, manufactured by Hughes Space and Communications International of the United States and owned by Optus Communications Ltd, lifted into orbit with a Chinese Long March 2e rocket; China has previously launched two Hughes-made Optus satellites; the launch was the fifth by the Long March 2e and the 35th overall using Long March rockets; China says it plans to launch several other communications satellites for overseas clients next year with the Long March 2e.
