Lifting off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China, a Long March 3B-G2 (CZ 3B-G2), medium lift rocket has carried the ALCOMSAT-1 satellite to a Geosynchronus Transfer Orbit (GTO). From this orbit, the spacecraft’s own engines will transport it to its intended 24.8 degrees West, orbital slot in Geostationary orbit (GEO). The launch occurred at 1640 GMT, 10 December, and was in aid of the first GEO communications satellite for Algeria. The satellite, ALCOMSAT-1, was ordered from China’s international export-focused company, China Great Wall Industry Corp. (CGWIC), and was built on the DFH-4 satellite platform.