Asia Sat 1

On January 23, 1989, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) and Asia's Mastermind of Satellite Connection signed the launch services contract of Asia Sat 1 in Beijing. In June 1988, they had signed the satellite launch agreement and letter of intent for renting a satellite transponder with foreign clients.

Based on the contract, the satellite would be invested and operated by China and launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit by CZ-3 (Chang Zheng-3.) It was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) February-April, 1990, and the final position rested above Southeast Asia.

Asia Sat 1 was the first regional communications satellite in Asia. Covering most of Asia, it provided voice, data, images and other information delivery services. The satellite was made by Hughs Aircraft and had 24 C-band transponders. At the time, it was one of the most sophisticated communications satellites in the world. Its service life was 10 years and its ground signal intensity ratio, which could reduce the cost of ground reception facilities, was several times larger than the International Satellite rented by China.