ZHUHAI, Nov. 21 (China Space News) -- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) will provide communications satellite in-orbit delivery for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a commercial contract inked Nov. 17 in Zhuhai.

The satellite, CongoSat-01, will be launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province within three years from when the contract takes effect, according to China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a CASC subsidiary that signed the contract with DR Congo's National Network of Satellite Telecommunications (Renatelsat).

DR Congo is the second African country to ink a satellite delivery contract with China. Nigeria became the first in December 2004, when it signed a contract with CGWIC.

The satellite is expected to cover DR Congo and all the central and southern parts of the African continent, CGWIC said.

China will build ground control and training facilities and will train satellite-control personnel for the client.

To date, China has conducted 35 commercial satellite launches for international customers, sending 41 satellites into space.