NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Apstar 1

Launch Time
Thu Jul 21, 1994 10:55 UTC

Rocket

Long March 3
Image Credit: CASC
CAC
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 2,804 kN
Payload to LEO: 5,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 1,500 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 46.6 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.0 m
Fairing Height: 7.27 m

Mission Details

Apstar 1

The APSTAR 1 spacecraft carries such general communications traffic as voice, fax, data, and television signals across China and Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam. APSTAR 1A has expanded coverage to India and Pakistan. Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc., signed a contract in May 1992 with APT Satellite Company, Ltd., of Hong Kong for the first satellite. APT ordered APSTAR IA in March 1995. The spacecraft were built at the Hughes Space and Communications Company facilities in El Segundo, Calif.

APSTAR I and IA are is the latest versions of the popular HS-376 spin-stabilized satellite. They carry 24 active transponders (with six spares), operating in the C-band (6/4 GHz) and extended C-band (3.6 GHz) frequency range, and are powered by 15-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers. Each of the four channels has 72 MHz of bandwidth, and the remaining 20 each have 36 MHz capacity. Radiated power over China averages 35 dBW.

All spacecraft in the HS-376 satellite line has two telescoping cylindrical solar panels and an antenna or antenna array that folds down for launch. APSTAR I and IA measure 2.2 meters in diameter and a compact 3.1 meters tall when stowed for launch. With the solar panels deployed and the antenna unfolded in orbit, they measure 7.5 meters.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 1,400.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

LC-3, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China

Stats

1994

46th orbital launch attempt

Long March 3

10th mission
2nd mission of 1994
8th successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission