On January 11, 2009, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC), officially completed the in-orbit delivery of the Venesat-1 communications satellite and associated TT&C and teleport system. The in-orbit delivery ceremony was held in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and was attended by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Chinese ambassador to Venezuela Zhang Tuo, and CASC Deputy General Manager Yuan Jiajun.
Venesat-1 was launched on October 30, 2008 and was placed in position at a longitude of 78°W on November 9, 2008. In-Orbit Testing (IOT) was completed on December 1, 2008. The two satellite control ground stations in Bamari and Luepa, Venezuela have been built and begun operations, and current monitoring data indicates that Venesat-1's performance is stable and its orbital status is normal. The in-orbit delivery of Venesat-1 marks the successful completion of China's first satellite export to Venezuela.
Venesat-1, Venezuela's first satellite, will be operated by Venezuela's National Communications Company (CANTV) and will promote telecommunications services, broadcasting, distance learning and telemedicine in Venezuela; it will also serve to promote the development of satellite applications, ground-based communications and telecommunication networks in Latin America and the Caribbean.