cosmos.wikisort.org - Spacecraft

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 K_u band transponders. China is covered with a dedicated high power K_u 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.^{[citation needed]}

Apstar 6

Operator	APT Satellite
COSPAR ID	2005-012A
SATCAT no.	28638
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
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

It is significant in enhancing cooperation between Alcatel Space and China as a follow up to the SINOSAT satellite.^{[citation needed]} 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

External links

• Alcatel press release
• APT website
• Apstar 6 footprint(s) at SatBeams

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