XICHANG, Feb. 23 -- China on Thursday sent a new communications satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The "ChinaSat 26" satellite was launched at 7:49 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.

The satellite will mainly provide high-speed broadband access services for fixed terminals as well as vehicle-mounted, shipborne and airborne terminals.

The launch marks the 463rd mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.