Apstar 7
Apstar-7 is a Chinese communications satellite which is operated by APT Satellite as part of the Apstar system. It was launched in 2012 as a replacement for the Apstar 2R satellite launched in 1997.[3]
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | APT Satellite |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-013A |
| SATCAT no. | 38107 |
| Website | www |
| Mission duration | 15 years[1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Spacebus-4000C2 |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | 5,054 kilograms (11,142 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 31 March 2012, 10:27 UTC |
| Rocket | Chang Zheng 3B/E |
| Launch site | Xichang LC-2 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 76.5° East[1] |
| Perigee altitude | 35,784 kilometres (22,235 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 35,802 kilometres (22,246 mi) |
| Inclination | 0.04 degrees |
| Period | 23.93 hours |
| Epoch | 19 December 2013, 16:37:15 UTC[2] |
Apstar-7 was constructed by Thales Alenia Space, and is based on the Spacebus-4000C2 satellite bus. The satellite had a mass at launch of 5,054 kilograms (11,142 lb), and is expected to operate for at least 15 years.[1] It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 76.5 degrees East, and carries 56 transponders with an operating power of 8.4 kilowatts;[1] 28 operating in the C band and providing services to Asia, Africa, eastern and central Europe and Australia and the other 28 operating in the Ku band, covering Africa, the Middle East, China, and Taiwan.[4] The satellite's solar arrays generate 11.4 kilowatts of power.
Apstar-7 was launched by a Long March 3B/E carrier rocket, flying from Launch Complex 2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. Liftoff took place at 10:27 UTC on 31 March 2012, with the rocket placing the satellite into a supersynchronous transfer orbit.[5]
Operational history
Thales Alenia Space built Apstar-7 as an ITAR-free satellite, containing no restricted American components.[6] The United States prohibits the export of satellite components when a Chinese launcher will be used. Ironically, the US Department of Defense leased bandwidth on Apstar-7 in May 2012 to improve communications with the U.S. Africa Command.[7] In 2013, Thales Alenia was forced to discontinue its ITAR-free satellite line after US supplier Aeroflex admitted that it had sold them ITAR-controlled components.[8]
References
- Krebs, Gunter. "APStar 7, 7B". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- "APSTAR 7 Satellite details 2012-013A NORAD 38107". N2YO. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- Barbosa, Rui C. (31 March 2012). "Chinese Long March 3B/E launches Apstar-7". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- "APSTAR-7 system characteristics". APT Satellite Holdings. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan (12 April 2012). "Issue 656". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- Clark, Stephen (31 March 2012). "Chinese rocket lifts off with communications satellite". Spaceflight Now.
- Capaccio, Tony (29 April 2013). "Pentagon Using China Satellite for U.S.-Africa Command". Bloomberg. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- Ferster, Warren (5 September 2013). "U.S. Satellite Component Maker Fined $8 Million for ITAR Violations". SpaceNews.
External links
- International Media Switzerland Archived 2014-02-25 at the Wayback Machine Official provider's site