At 20:08 on July 5, 2007, Beijing time, ChinaSatcom’s Chinasat-6B communications satellite was successfully launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3B launch vehicle.
Approximately 26 minutes after the launch, the satellite was successfully separated from the launch vehicle. According to data from the Xi’an Satellite Control Center, the Chinasat-6B satellite entered its pre-determined geostationary transfer orbit with an apogee of 50,031 km, a perigee of 207 km and an inclination of 24°.
Chinasat-6B, which had a lift-off weight of 4,500kg, was developed by Thales Alenia Space of France from the company’s Spacebus SB4000C2 platform, and is equipped with 38 C-band transponders. Designed to have a life span of more than 15 years, the Chinasat-6B satellite will be located at a longitude of 115.5°E to satisfy increasing demand for Chinese domestic communications & broadcasting, and provide more reliable and effective solutions to the Chinese and Asia-Pacific satellite communications & broadcasting markets.
The launch vehicle used in this launch was developed and manufactured by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The launch marked the 101st flight of the Long March series of launch vehicles as well as China’s 59th consecutive successful rocket launch since October 1996.