CASC - China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation logo.
May 3, 2018
Long March-3B carrying APStar-6C launch
China launched the APStar-6C communications satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province, using a Long March-3B/G2 ‘Chang Zheng-3B/G2’ launch vehicle on Thursday. Launch took place at 16:06 UTC from the LC2 Launch Complex.
APT entered into the in-orbit delivery contract for the APSTAR-6C satellite with China Great Wall Industry (Hong Kong) Corp. on 17 October 2015. APSTAR-6C is based on CASC DFH-4 platform equipped with 45 transponders in C, Ku, and Ka bands, with a designed service life of 15 years.
The satellite will replace the in-orbit APSTAR-6 satellite in 2018, providing high power transponder services to customers across the Asia-Pacific region for VSAT, video distribution, DTH and cellular backhaul applications.
The Xichang launch site
The DFH-4 (DongFangHong-4) platform is a large telecommunications satellite platform from a new generation that keeps high capability in output power and communication capacity ranking with international advanced satellite platforms.
The applications for the DFH-4 platform aren’t limited to high capacity broadcast communication satellites and can be used for tracking and data relay satellites, regional mobile communication satellites, etc.
The platform comprises propulsion module, service module and solar array. It has a payload capacity of 588 kg and an output power of 10.5 kW by the end of its lifetime. Its design lifetime is 15 years and its reliability by the end of life is more than 0.78. Based on versatility, inheritance, expandability and promptness principles and mature technology, the platform will reach world advanced level to meet the needs of international and domestic large communication satellite markets.
APStar-6C satellite
The platform is equipped with 22 Ku-band transponders (four 54MHz and 18 36MHz), 3 receiver antennas, and 2 transmission antennas. With a designed operational life of 15 years, the DFH-4 can support the transmission of 150~200 TV programs simultaneously to ground users using a 0.45m antenna device. The DFH-4 satellite also features strong capabilities against hostile disturbance and jamming. The satellite’s power supply includes two 6m solar panels.
Established in 1980, the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) is a commercial organization authorized by the Chinese government to provide satellites, commercial launch services and to carry out international space cooperation.
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), visit: http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
Images, Text, Credits: CASC/Günter Space Page/NASA Spaceflight.com/Rui C. Barbosa.
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