The People’s Republic of China’s first large direct broadcasting satellite, Sinosat-2, was launched Oct. 29 aboard a Long March-3B rocket, according to Xinhua.

Sinosat-2, which will be positioned at 92.2 degrees East, is capable of carrying radio and TV signals across the country. The Chinese-designed and developed satellite has a 15- year mission life and is expected to provide TV and radio transmissions, digital films, direct TV and digital broadband in China’s rapidly developing TV market.