Long March 3B (LM-3B) Successfully Launches APT’s APSTAR-VI Satellite

A Long March 3B (LM-3B) rocket lifted off at 20:00 hours on April 12, 2005, Beijing time, the very beginning of the launch window, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China’s Sichuan province, and successfully despatched APT Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. (APT)’s APSTAR-VI communications satellite into pre-defined geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). This marks the first flight of a Long March launch vehicle in 2005, and the fifth launch services mission by CGWIC for APT.

 The APSTAR-VI satellite is a high-power telecommunications satellite manufactured by Alcatel Space based on that company’s SB-4100 C1 platform, and is fitted with 38 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders. The satellite will be positioned in an orbit slot at a longitude of 134°E, from where its C band will cover an area including the countries of the Asia Pacific region and Hawaii, and its Ku band will cover China. The satellite's launch weight was approximately 4.6 tons, and it has an expected in-orbit life span of over 15 years. Owned by APT in Hong Kong, APSTAR-VI will replace APSTARIA once this reaches the end of its life span at the end of 2006, and will provide TV broadcast and communications services to APT’s client base.

 The LM-3B launch vehicle, an LM-3A unit with four strap-on boosters, is the most powerful launch vehicle of the Long March range. The LM-3B launch vehicle’s maximum GTO payload capacity is 5,100kg. The LM-3B features a range of advanced technologies including a four-axis platform and cryogenic propulsion third stage.

 The preliminary parameters for APSTAR-VI upon entry into orbit are as follows:

This mission marks the 6th successful LM-3B flight and the 84th flight of a Long March launch vehicle. Long March launch vehicles have achieved 42 consecutive successful launches since October 1996.