# AsiaSat 1

> communications satellite operated by AsiaSat; formerly Westar 6

**Wikidata**: [Q14907172](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14907172)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AsiaSat_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asiasat-1

## Summary
AsiaSat 1 is a communications satellite operated by AsiaSat, originally launched as Westar 6. It was launched on April 7, 1990, aboard a Long March 3 rocket from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite played a key role in telecommunications services across Asia.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 7, 1990
- **Operator**: AsiaSat
- **Original Name**: Westar 6 (renamed after being acquired by AsiaSat)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 3 rocket
- **COSPAR ID**: 1990-030A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20558
- **Launch Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China

## FAQs
### Q: When was AsiaSat 1 launched?
A: AsiaSat 1 was launched on April 7, 1990.

### Q: Why was it originally named Westar 6?
A: It was built for Western Union's Westar satellite fleet but was later acquired and renamed by AsiaSat after the original launch plans were canceled.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch AsiaSat 1?
A: It was launched using China's Long March 3 rocket, marking an early example of international commercial satellite launch services by China.

## Why It Matters
AsiaSat 1 is significant as one of the first commercial communications satellites launched by China for a foreign operator, demonstrating China's entry into the global satellite launch market. It provided critical telecommunications infrastructure for Asia, supporting television broadcasting, telephone services, and data transmission. The satellite's deployment highlighted the growing demand for satellite-based communications in the region and underscored the strategic partnership between AsiaSat and Chinese space industries. Its successful operation paved the way for expanded satellite services in Asia and reinforced China's role as a reliable provider of space launch services.

## Notable For
- First foreign-owned satellite launched by China using the Long March 3 rocket.
- Originally built for Western Union as Westar 6 but repurposed for AsiaSat after a launch delay.
- Operated in geostationary orbit to deliver telecommunications services across Asia.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: April 7, 1990
- **Rocket**: Long March 3 (CZ-3)
- **Launch Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, China

### Background
- **Original Purpose**: Constructed as Westar 6 for Western Union's domestic communications network in the United States.
- **Acquisition**: Purchased by AsiaSat after the original launch on Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-41B) in 1984 failed to reach operational orbit. The satellite was refurbished and relaunched in 1990.

### Technical Specifications
- **Function**: Provided transponder capacity for television, telecommunications, and data services across Asia.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
- **Identification**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1990-030A
  - **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 20558

### Historical Context
- The launch of AsiaSat 1 marked a milestone in China's commercial space industry, showcasing the Long March 3's capability to deliver payloads to geostationary orbit.
- The satellite's deployment supported economic and cultural connectivity in Asia during the 1990s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report