Apstar 6 Explained

Apstar 6
Operator:APT Satellite
Mission Duration:15 years (planned)

(in progress)
Spacecraft Bus:Spacebus 4000C1
Manufacturer:Alcatel Space
Launch Site:Xichang LA-2
Orbit Reference:Geocentric
Orbit Regime:Geostationary
Orbit Longitude:134° East 0°N 134°W
Apsis:gee
Trans Band:38 C band
12 Ku band
Trans Bandwidth:36 MHz
50 MHz
Trans Twta:64W (C band)
145 (Ku band)
Trans 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.[1] 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.[2]

References

  1. Book: Harvey. Brian. China in Space: The Great Leap Forward. limited. 2013. Springer. New York. 9781461450436. 160–162.
  2. News: Ferster. Warren. U.S. Satellite Component Maker Fined $8 Million for ITAR Violations. SpaceNews. 5 September 2013.

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