By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - China launched a communications satellite into orbit on Friday from the country's southwest, state-run media reported.
The ChinaSat 9C satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the Sichuan province, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The launch took place at 8.37 pm (1237GMT) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket.
The mission marked the 582nd launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.