Indonesian communications satellite Palapa D failed to enter a preset orbit after being launched at 5:28 pm Monday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China.
The satellite was launched atop a Chinese-made Long March 3B rocket.
The first and second stages of the rocket entered space normally, but the third stage failed during a second-time ignition. Experts are investigating.
The Palapa D satellite, owned by Indonesian satellite communications company Indosat, would have provided satellite links and broadcasting services for Indonesia and other southeastern Asian nations.
Indosat ordered the Palapa D satellite from the French company ThalesAlenia Space in 2007.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
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