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Dedicated Mission

APSTAR-7 at 76.5° East


Position

76,5° East

Regions

Asia Pacific Region
Europe Region
North & Central Africa Region
Oceania Region
South Africa Region

Manufacturer

Thales Alenia Space

Operator

APT Satellite Co.

Launch operator

CGWIC

Launch vehicle

Long March 3B

Launch date

March 31st, 2012

Expected lifetime

15+ Years

The APSTAR-7 satellite is located at 76,5° East Geostationary orbit covering Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa in C-band and China. Middle-East and Africa in steerable Ku-band.

The spacecraft was constructed by Thales Alenia Space as an ITAR-free satellite, containing no restricted American components. The USA 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. In 2013, Thales Alenia Space was forced to discontinue its ITAR-free satellite line after US supplier Aeroflex admitted that it had sold them ITAR-controlled components.

The 5,054kgs heavy APSTAR-7 satellite was launched on March 31st, 2012 by launch operator CGWIC from China on a Long March CZ/3B rocket. The satellite has a planned operational lifespan of over 15 years.

 

Dedicated Mission

APSTAR-7 at 76.5° East


APSTAR-7 satellite in fairing
APSTAR-7 satellite launch
APSTAR-7 in orbit

Dedicated Mission

APSTAR-7 at 76.5° East


Dedicated Mission

APSTAR-7 at 76.5° East


APSTAR-7 Africa Ku-Band Beam
APSTAR-7 China Ku-Band Beam
APSTAR-7 Global C-Band Beam
APSTAR-7 MENA Ku-Band Beam
APSTAR-7 Steerable Ku-Band Beam