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]
Apstar-7 was constructed by Thales Alenia Space, and is based on the Spacebus-4000C2satellite 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.
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]
^ abcdeKrebs, 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.
^. APT Satellite Holdings. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
^McDowell, Jonathan (12 April 2012). . 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 linksedit
International Media Switzerland 2014-02-25 at the Wayback Machine Official provider's site
December 15, 2023
apstar, apstar, chinese, communications, satellite, which, operated, satellite, part, apstar, system, launched, 2012, replacement, apstar, satellite, launched, 1997, mission, typecommunicationoperatorapt, satellitecospar, id2012, 013asatcat, 38107websitewww, a. 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 Apstar 7Mission typeCommunicationOperatorAPT SatelliteCOSPAR ID2012 013ASATCAT no 38107Websitewww wbr apstar wbr com wbr en wbr apstar fleet wbr apstar 7 wbr Mission duration15 years 1 Spacecraft propertiesBusSpacebus 4000C2ManufacturerThales Alenia SpaceLaunch mass5 054 kilograms 11 142 lb 1 Start of missionLaunch date31 March 2012 10 27 2012 03 31UTC10 27Z UTCRocketChang Zheng 3B ELaunch siteXichang LC 2Orbital parametersReference systemGeocentricRegimeGeostationaryLongitude76 5 East 1 Perigee altitude35 784 kilometres 22 235 mi Apogee altitude35 802 kilometres 22 246 mi Inclination0 04 degreesPeriod23 93 hoursEpoch19 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 Contents 1 Operational history 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksOperational history editThales 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 See also edit nbsp Spaceflight portal nbsp China portal2012 in spaceflight List of Spacebus satellitesReferences edit a b c d e 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 editInternational Media Switzerland Archived 2014 02 25 at the Wayback Machine Official provider s site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Apstar 7 amp oldid 1143086725, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
