| Operator | APT Satellite |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2005-012A  |
| SATCAT no. | 28638 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 19 years, 8 months, 7 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Spacebus 4000C1 |
| Manufacturer | Alcatel Space |
| Launch mass | 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | April 12, 2005 (2005-04-12) |
| Rocket | Long March 3B |
| Launch site | Xichang LA-2 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 134° East 0°N 134°E / 0°N 134°E / 0; 134 |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 38 C band 12 Ku band |
| Bandwidth | 36 MHz 50 MHz |
| TWTA power | 64W (C band) 145 (Ku band) |
| EIRP | at Peak: 42 decibel-watts 60 decibel-watts |
Apstar 6 is a communications satellite built by Alcatel Space, a subsidiary of Alcatel, and was boosted into orbit on April 12, 2005, by Long March 3B launcher from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China. It provides APT Satellite, a satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region, with broadband media and television services. It is fitted with 38 C-band transponders and 12 Ku band transponders. China is covered with a dedicated high power Ku band beam for broadband multimedia transmission. It is the second model of the Spacebus 4000. The transponders have a reduced C-band receiving dish over a wide footprint, which extends across India, China and Australia.
It is significant in enhancing cooperation between Alcatel Space and China as a - to the SINOSAT satellite. Apstar 6 was built as an ITAR-free satellite, containing no restricted U.S. components. Under the U.S. ITAR regulations, U.S. satellite components may not be exported for launch on Chinese rockets. However, the U.S. Department of State did not accept the ITAR-free status of these satellites and fined the US company Aeroflex $8 million for selling ITAR components. In 2013, Thales Alenia discontinued its ITAR-free satellite line.
References
- Harvey, Brian (2013). China in Space: The Great Leap Forward. New York: Springer. pp. 160–162. ISBN 9781461450436.
- Ferster, Warren (5 September 2013). "U.S. Satellite Component Maker Fined $8 Million for ITAR Violations". SpaceNews.
External links
- Alcatel press release
- APT website
- Apstar 6 footprint(s) at SatBeams
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