The China Great Wall Industry Corp.(CGWIC) and theChina Institute of Rocket Carrier Technologyhave launched the French-made W3C telecom satellite into orbit on a Long March rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, CGWIC officials announced Oct. 7.

   The Xi'an Satellite Measuring and Monitoring Center said the satellite and rocket carrier separated on schedule and that the satellite is now in orbit. The launch marked the first time China has cooperated with a European satellite operator since the signing of a Sino-French satellite launch agreement in 2008.

   W3C was built byThales Alenia Spaceand is owned byEutelsat. The W3C has a designed lifespan of 15 years and was designed to provide television, radio, broadband video and Internet services for Eutelsat customers.