# APStar 6

> Chinese communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q4782200](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4782200)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apstar_6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apstar-6

## Summary
APStar 6 is a Chinese communications satellite launched on April 12, 2005, to provide telecommunications services across the Asia-Pacific region. It operates in geostationary orbit and was manufactured by French company Alcatel Space.

## Key Facts
- APStar 6 is a Chinese communications satellite in geostationary orbit
- It was launched on April 12, 2005, at 12:00 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- It has a launch weight of 4680 kg and a dry weight of 1900 kg
- It has a design life of 14 years
- It was manufactured by Alcatel Space and uses the Spacebus-4000C2 spacecraft bus
- It was launched by a Long March 3B (Y6) rocket
- It is operated by APT Satellite Holdings
- It has NORAD catalog number 28638 and COSPAR ID 2005-012A

## FAQs
### Q: What is APStar 6?
A: APStar 6 is a Chinese communications satellite launched on April 12, 2005. It operates in geostationary orbit and provides telecommunications services across the Asia-Pacific region.

### Q: Who manufactured and launched APStar 6?
A: APStar 6 was manufactured by French company Alcatel Space and launched by a Long March 3B rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.

### Q: What are the technical specifications of APStar 6?
A: APStar 6 has a launch weight of 4680 kg and a dry weight of 1900 kg. It uses the Spacebus-4000C2 spacecraft bus and has a design life of 14 years.

### Q: Where is APStar 6 located in orbit?
A: APStar 6 is positioned in geostationary orbit at coordinates 0° latitude, 134° longitude.

## Why It Matters
APStar 6 represents China's growing presence in the satellite communications sector. As a geostationary communications satellite, it provides essential telecommunications infrastructure for the Asia-Pacific region, enabling television broadcasting, internet services, and other communication applications. The satellite's 14-year design life ensures long-term service continuity for its operator, APT Satellite Holdings. Its launch on a Chinese Long March 3B rocket demonstrates China's domestic launch capabilities and its role in the global satellite market. The satellite's position at 134° longitude makes it strategically important for covering populous regions in Asia and the Pacific, contributing to bridging the digital divide in these areas.

## Notable For
- Being one of China's major communications satellites serving the Asia-Pacific region
- Its position at 134° longitude in geostationary orbit, providing coverage to populous Asian regions
- Its long 14-year design life, ensuring extended service capability
- Being manufactured by French company Alcatel Space, demonstrating international collaboration in Chinese satellite projects
- Its launch on a Long March 3B rocket, showcasing China's domestic launch capabilities

## Body
### Basic Information
- APStar 6 is a Chinese communications satellite
- It is also classified as a geostationary satellite
- It has aliases including APStar-6 and 亚太6号
- It has a NORAD catalog number of 28638
- Its COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID are both 2005-012A
- It has a Freebase ID of /m/05s52g
- It is listed in the Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) with ID 402050

### Technical Specifications
- Launch weight: 4680 kg
- Dry weight: 1900 kg
- Spacecraft bus: Spacebus-4000C2
- Power: Spacecraft solar array (2) and S400 (1)
- Design life: 14 years
- Orbit: Geostationary orbit at coordinates 0° latitude, 134° longitude

### Launch and Operation
- Launch date: April 12, 2005, at 12:00
- Launch vehicle: Long March 3B (Y6)
- Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center
- Operator: APT Satellite Holdings
- Country of origin: People's Republic of China
- Manufacturer: Alcatel Space (France)

### Identifiers and References
- Wikipedia title: Apstar 6
- Available in Wikipedia languages: English, Portuguese, Chinese
- Described at URLs:
  - https://www.apstar.com/cn/apstar-fleet/sat-apstar-6/ (Chinese)
  - https://www.apstar.com/en/apstar-fleet/apstar-6/ (English)
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "28638"]
- Referenced sources:
  - https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/apstar-6.htm
  - https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=28638
  - Q6272367 (Wikidata item)

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/apstar-6.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=28638)