China Great Wall Industry Corp. and China Satellite Communications Corp. (Chinasat) signed a contract Nov. 9 for the launch of the Chinasat 9 satellite aboard a Long March 3B rocket in the second half of 2007, according to the People’s Daily Online.

Chinasat signed a 100 million euros ($117.2 million) contract with Alcatel Space in April for the spacecraft, which will carry 22 Ku-band transponders.