CASC - China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation logo.
Oct 18, 2015
Long March 3B rocket carrying APStar-9 satellite launch from Xichang
China successfully launched the APStar-9 commercial communications satellite using its Long March 3B rocket on 17 October 2015. The liftoff took place as scheduled at 12:16 p.m. EDT (16:16 GMT) from Launch Area 2 (LA-2) at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center located in Sichuan province.
APSTAR 9 Satellite, which is a new in-orbit satellite of APT Satellite, was commissioned in November 2013 for the purpose of further expanding the satellite transponder capacities and service capability of APT Satellite in the region. APSTAR 9 Satellite is a DFH-4 series platform high power geostationary communication satellite with 32 C-band (39.5 x 36 MHz equivalent) and 14 Ku-band (21 x 36 MHz equivalent) transponders.
China puts new communication satellite into orbit
After the in-orbit delivery, APSTAR 9 Satellite will subsequently replace APSTAR 9A Satellite. The C-band transponders of APSTAR 9 Satellite provides broad coverage for entire Asia and Pacific island countries. The Ku-band transponders of APSTAR 9 Satellite are built with sophisticated Ku-band coverage over a broad region stretching from East India Ocean to West Pacific Ocean region leveraging the in-flight connectivity and maritime demands, so as to expand the customer base and increase the business revenue and profit.
Mr. Cheng Guangren, Executive Director and President of APT Satellite, said, "The successful launch of APSTAR 9 Satellite marks a major milestone in the development of the Group. It has 46 transponders in total, which will enable us to expand our satellite service and customer base. It will also help broaden our revenue stream and strengthen our competitive edges and growth potential going forward. The footprint design of APSTAR 9 Satellite covers broad oceanic region supporting the in-flight connectivity and maritime demands.
APStar 9 satellite
APT Satellite currently operates four in-orbit satellites, namely, APSTAR 5, APSTAR 6, APSTAR 7 and APSTAR 9A ("APSTAR Systems"), covering approximately 75% of the world's population across the Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia regions. APT Satellite also provides excellent quality "one-stop-shop" transponder services, satellite telecommunications and satellite TV broadcasting and transmission services to broadcasters and telecommunication customers in these regions.
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), visit: http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
For more information about APT Satellite Holdings Limited, visit: http://www.apstar.com/en/
Images, Video, Text, Credits: CASC/APT Satellite Holdings Limited/Dr. Brian Lo/Gunter Space Page/CCTV News/YouTube/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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