Venezuela's "Simon Bolívar" successfully launched, supplanting Washington-backed media power in Latin America By Les Blough in Venezuela Oct 29, 2008, 17:00

The "giant leap" that really is for humankind!

Venezuela's "Simon Bolívar" was launched into space today from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.

Today was an exciting day here in Venezuela and throughout much of Latin America. We and most Venezuelans excitedly watched the launch of our first satellite into space, the "Simon Bolívar", proudly bearing the Venezuelan flag. The VENESAT-1 was built for Venezuela by China and orbited by a CZ-3B (CZ3B-11) rocket, the most powerful launch vehicle on the Chinese space launch fleet. It was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province at 16:53 UTC (12:53 pm, EST). The CZ-3B carries enlarged launch propellant tanks, cutting-edge computer systems, a payload and four additional strap-on boosters in the core stage that augment the first phase of the launch.

The "Simon Bolívar" or VENESAT-1

As Venezuela's public television station, VTV, broadcast the liftoff today, we watched as each stage of the rocket spent it's fuel before dropping off, propelling the massive launch vehicle into space. According to China Great Wall Industry Corporation, the rocket has a total length of 54 meters (177ft) and a core diameter of 3.35 meters (11 ft). The 3Z CB has been developed for launching heavyweight communications satellites, capable of launching the 5.1 ton Simon Bolívar. This satellite has an estimated life of 11 years and Venezuela is planning to launch our second satellite in 2013.

The Launch

Presidents Chávez and Moráles were in high spirits at countdown and ignition.

The launch went off without a hitch and for the first time, the Venezulelan colors are successfully orbiting in space, 21,900 miles above the earth. President Chávez said the satellite will benefit Venezuela's TV, internet and other communication systems, and will increase its educational and medical levels. It will provide access to telephone communications, fax, videoconferencing, high speed Internet, radio, tele-medicine and tele-education to remote areas of Venezuela. It's 1,300 megahertz (MHz) signal will extend from Southern Mexico to half the territory of Argentina and Chile, providing communication services to most of Latin America, according to El Nacionál, one of the many private, opposition newspapers in Venezuela.

The Simon Bolívar will also be used by Uruguay, where its orbital position at 78 degrees E above Ecuador will be used for broadcasting across Latin America. NASA followed this launch closely and along with some technical information, subtly fed Venephobia with the suggestion that the satellite "... will be used for government and military communications". Predictably, Associated Press followed suit, overreaching once again with its propaganda stating that the Simon Bolívar "... could potentially serve military purposes such as listening in on telephone conversations, but Venezuelan officials insist their intentions are peaceful." 

Presidents Chávez and Moráles Watch and Celebrate

President Chávez and Bolivian President Evo Morales sat with other government officials and media, watching the lift-off from Estacion Terrena Luepa in the Venezuelan state of Bolivar. This is the first time China has launched a satellite for a Latin American country. The two governments signed the agreement for the development, construction and launch of Simon Bolívar on November 1, 2005. During our third Axis of Logic visit to Venezuela in 2006, Dra. Marlene Yadira Córdova, then Minister of Science and Technology proudly showed us a model of the satellite when we interviewed her in her Caracas office. According to the current Science and Technology Minister, Nuris Orihuela, the total cost of the project is 241 million dollars, plus 165 million dollars for the construction of two control stations in Bolivia and Guárico (Venezuela), totalling about $400 million.

President Chávez said today, that the successful development and launch of the Simon Bolívar is "of strategic and historical importance for Venezuela and China ... This is a satellite for the liberation of people through culture and knowledge''. He said that with the VENESAT-1 satellite "we are recovering our sovereign rights on outer space. Venezuela is becoming free, towards socialism."

Venezuelan Engineers' role in development and launch

Simon Bolivar prepared for launch

Venezuela had an equal role in the development and launch of the Simon Bolívar. It involved a transfer of technology between Venezuela and China. After March 2, 2007, the first group of 90 Venezuelan specialists worked on the satellite. Venezuelan engineers received basic knowlege and training at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. They also received professional satellite engineering training with a second group of engineers that followed the first.

Advancing the New Socialism of the 21st Century from Space

This historic launch marks a big step forward for advancing the New Socialism of the 21st century and underscores the strength of Venezuela's economy and now, our new media power. This new media capacity is of critical importance, offering an alternative to the powerful pro-Washington media conglomerates, Venezuela's many private, opposition television stations and newspapers and CNN Latin America, all of whom pump out a steady diet of anti-government propaganda in Venezuela and throughout Latin America. The timing of the launch, planned exactly 3 years ago, also profiles the success of this socialist economy against the current failing capitalist economies around the world. Following 3 months of testing, the Simon Bolívar is expected to be fully operational.

Meanwhile, 4 hours after the launch, Chavistas march through Plaza Bolívar in the Venezuelan State of Bolívar celebrating our first satellite in space and gearing up for the all-important November 23 regional elections. The "Red Tsunami" is back, spreading through the broad avenues - as far as the eye can see in every direction from Plaza Bolívar. The only thing exceeding their numbers is their unbridled exhuberance and power of their amazing pride and love for their country and president.

- Les Blough in Venezuela

© Copyright 2008 by AxisofLogic.com

BIO AND ADDITIONAL ESSAYS BY LES BLOUGH

This material is available for republication as long as reprints include verbatim copy of the article its entirety, respecting its integrity. Reprints must cite the author and Axis of Logic as the original source including a "live link" to the article. Thank you!

References

Great Wall Industries Corporation

El Universal

VTV (Venezuela Public Television)

El Nacional

TeleSur

Associated Press/USA Today

NASA

Top of Page