The vast expanses of China and much of eastern Asia fall under a blanket of telecommunications coverage provided by the APSTAR I and IA satellites. Built by Hughes, now known as Boeing Satellite Development Center, the APSTAR I model satellite was launched July 21, 1994, on a Long March 3 rocket from Xichang, China. APSTAR IA was also launched on a Long March 3, on July 3, 1996. APSTAR I and IA are is the latest versions of the popular HS 376 spin-stabilized satellite.