[Satellite TODAY 12-28-10] China Great Wall Industry Corp. (CGWIC) will launch Pakistani communications satellite Paksat-1R in August from a Chinese launch facility, Pakistani government officials announced Dec. 27.
    Paksat-1R will carry a communications payload to introduce broadband Internet, digital TV distribution, broadcasting, remote and rural telephony, emergency communications, tele-education and tele-medicine services to the region.
    Thales Alenia Space was contracted to build Paksat-1R. In October, CGWIC signed the satellite’s launch agreement. China also has provided technical and financial assistance to the Paksat-1R mission.
    Paksat-1R will replace the leased Paksat-1 satellite to ensure continuity of service.