Mission duration 15 years Reference system Geocentric Longitude 134° East Speed on orbit 3.07 km/s Launch date 12 April 2005 Manufacturer Alcatel Space | Launch site Xichang LA-2 Regime Geostationary Band 38 C band
12 Ku band Launch mass 5,000 kg Rocket Long March 3B Bus Spacebus | |
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Similar Apstar‑7, Thaicom 5, Intelsat 19, MEASAT‑3, INSAT‑3A | ||
Apstar VI 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 Holdings (APT), 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.