XICHANG, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian communications satellite Palapa D failed to enter a preset orbit after being launched at 5:28 p.m. Monday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China.

    The satellite was launched atop a Chinese-made Long March 3B rocket.

    The first and second stages of the rocket entered space normally, but the third stage failed during a second-time ignition. Experts are investigating.

    The Palapa D satellite, owned by Indonesian satellite communications company Indosat, would have provided satellite links and broadcasting services for Indonesia and other southeastern Asian nations.

    Indosat ordered the Palapa D satellite from the French company Thales Alenia Space in 2007.