Indonesian communications satellite Palapa D has been captured and is now able to conduct orbit maneuver, a few hours after an announcement that it failed to enter a preset orbit following its launch at 5:28 p.m. Monday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China.

Indonesian communications satellite Palapa D has been captured and is now able to conduct orbit maneuver, a few hours after an announcement that it failed to enter a preset orbit following its launch at 5:28 p.m. Monday. [CFP]

The satellite is in a normal state, its manufacturer, the French company ThalesAlenia Space, said late Monday night.

The satellite was launched atop a Chinese-made Long March 3B rocket.

The Palapa D satellite, owned by Indonesian satellite communications company Indosat, was supposed to provide satellite links and broadcasting services for Indonesia and other southeastern Asian nations.

Indosat ordered the satellite from ThalesAlenia Space in 2007.

Indonesian communications satellite Palapa D has been captured and is now able to conduct orbit maneuver, a few hours after an announcement that it failed to enter a preset orbit following its launch at 5:28 p.m. Monday. [CFP]

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2009)