BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- Venezuela 's first satellite roared into space Thursday from a launching pad in southwest China . The telecommunications satellite will let rural communities in Venezuela access educational and medical information that has been difficult for them to come by as a result of their relative isolation , said Rodolfo Navaro , technical manager for the Bolivarian Space Activity Agency . `` It is not focused on commercial ends , but on providing a service to the communities which have never enjoyed a modern communication system , '' he said , according to the Bolivarian News Agency . `` Aboriginal communities , for instance , would receive long-distance education , or maybe they would request medicines , air or river ambulance service , medical checkups , among other options . '' A Chinese rocket carrying the satellite lifted off early Thursday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China 's Sichuan province , according to an account in China 's state-run news agency , Xinhua . The satellite is designed to last 15 years , the agency said . President Hugo Chavez announced after taking office that Venezuela would send crafts into space , and the country spent $ 241 million in five years to develop the Simon Bolivar Satellite , named for the general whose military victories led to independence from Spain for several South American nations in the early 1800s . Chavez referred to the satellite 's launch as a key step toward greater scientific and technological independence for Venezuela , the Bolivarian News Agency reported . The satellite will have the ability to cover the Caribbean , Central America and parts of South America , the agency said .
Telecommunications satellite will let rural areas access educational , medical services . Chinese rocket carrying satellite lifts off from Beijing Satellite Launch Center . Satellite reportedly designed to last 10 years . Venezuela spent $ 241 million in five years to develop the Simon Bolivar Satellite .