China launched Algeria's first communication satellite, Alcomsat-1, early Monday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The satellite lifted off on a Chinese Long March-3B rocket 40 minutes after midnight. This launch marks the 258th mission for the Long March rocket family. Alcomsat-1 is the first aerospace industry project between China and Algeria. Algeria will use the satellite for broadcast and television, emergency communication, distance education, e-governance, enterprise communication, broadband access, and satellite-based navigation.