[Satellite TODAY 11-29-10] China launched the Zhongxing 20A satellite on a Long March 3A rocket Nov. 25 from the Xichang Space Center, Chinese officials announced.
    The rocket delivered the satellite, also known as Chinasat 20A, to a geosynchronous transfer orbit, which will transition the spacecraft to a near-circular orbit later this week. The Zhongxing 20A mission was the 14th Chinese space launch of 2010.
    The satellite is based on the Chinese Academy of Space Technology’s DFH-3 bus. Chinese officials claim the satellite aims to help improve the country’s radio and television broadcasts. International space agencies say the satellite most likely will provide secure communications coverage for Chinese military ground forces.