China to help Bolivia launch satellite by 2013

A Bolivian delegation will travel to China to seal the deal and spur the satellite's construction, ready for a 2013 launch.

Bolivia signed a memorandum of understanding Friday with Chinese officials for the construction and launch of a communications satellite.

President Evo Morales said the 300-million-dollar satellite, whose design is set to be completed by March 2010, would be named after Tupac Katari, a Bolivian indigenous leader who fought against Spanish colonial rule.

A Bolivian delegation will travel to China to seal the deal and spur the satellite's construction, ready for a 2013 launch.

The memorandum was also signed by representatives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).