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.[citation needed]
| Operator | APT Satellite |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2005-012A  |
| SATCAT no. | 28638 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 19 years, 2 months, 27 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 |
It is significant in enhancing cooperation between Alcatel Space and China as a - 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]
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