Apstar 6

Apstar 6
Operator APT Satellite
COSPAR ID 2005-012A
SATCAT no. 28638Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration 15 years
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 Coordinates: 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 follow up 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. ↑ Harvey, Brian (2013). China in Space: The Great Leap Forward. New York: Springer. pp. 160–162. ISBN 9781461450436.
  2. ↑ Ferster, Warren (5 September 2013). "U.S. Satellite Component Maker Fined $8 Million for ITAR Violations". SpaceNews.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.