China successfully launched a Long March 3B/G2 (CZ-3B/G2) launch vehicle at 1150 GMT on 9 September from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. It was carrying the Chinasat 9B (Zhongxing 9B) Civil communications satellite. The satellite which will eventually operate from Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) carries a C- and Ku-band communications payload to ensure continuity of current TV broadcast services as well as also providing capacity for expansion of High-resolution (4K/8K) services. Owned and operated by China Satcom, the Chinasat 9B spacecraft uses a DFH-4 satellite bus designed and built by subsidiaries of CAST – the Chinese Academy of Space Technology.