APSTAR-6D Communications Satellite was launched at 8:11 pm on July 9th, 2020 (Beijing time) by the LM-3B launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) at Sichuan Province of China. The satellite entered into the predetermined orbit successfully.

APSTAR-6D is the 12th communications satellite to be in-orbit delivered by China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The performance of the procurement contract for the APSTAR-6D Communications Satellite was based on the contract signed between CGWIC and APT Mobile SatCom Limited (APSAT).

APSTAR-6D is a High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of CASC. It is the first satellite based on DFH-4 Enhanced (DFH-4E) satellite platform with a hybrid propulsion solution and the first commercial Ku/Ka band high-throughput broadband communications satellite carrying the biggest payload designed and developed by CAST. APSTAR-6D has 90 Ku-band user beams and 8 Ka-band gateway beams on board with 5,550 kg lift-off mass. The satellite will be launched by LM-3B launch vehicle, and positioned at 134 degree East Longitude geostationary orbit. APSTAR-6D satellite provides both fixed and mobile high throughput broadband communication services for China and the Asia-Pacific region, with coverage from the East Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific.

The LM-3B launch vehicle is developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of CASC, with mature technologies. It is capable of launching a payload up to 5,550 kg into standard geostationary transfer orbit. The launch mission is the 69th flight of LM-3B launch vehicles, the 113th of LM-3A Series and the 339th of Long March family.

APSAT is a high-tech company established by CASC together with Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China and Shenzhen Municipal Government. APSAT will use APSTAR-6D to provide the high-quality, efficient, cost-effective high-throughput satellite broadband communication services and various applications for its domestic and international customers in maritime, aviation, land mobile areas. APSAT will build a global reliable integrated broadband satellite communication system step by step. It will also set up a satellite industrial cluster with international competitive strength.

CGWIC, the whole-owned subsidiary of CASC, is a commercial entity authorized by the Chinese government to operate commercial launches, provide satellites in-orbit delivery services and develop international space cooperation as well as technology cooperation. It is a system integrator for China aerospace products and services. It can completely supply the satellite in-orbit delivery and the construction of satellite ground systems for international and domestic customers, with all-round and one-stop service to meet the diversified demands of the customers. CGWIC has performed twelve in-orbit delivery communications satellite programs to its domestic and international customers by far, and has exported its communications satellite system to multiple countries and regions including Nigeria, Venezuela, Pakistan, Bolivia, Hong Kong SAR, Laos, Belarus, and Algeria.

Date:2020-07-09