The APStar-6D satellite. Yuan Siru
The APStar-6D satellite, which took nearly four years and investment of more than 2 billion yuan (US$279 million) to develop, has completed a series of tests and reviews and arrived at Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province on May 23.
The commercial communications satellite, manufactured by Shenzhen-based company APT Mobile Satcom Ltd. (APSATCOM), is scheduled for launch on a Long March 3B rocket at the end of June, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported Thursday.
APStar-6D is China’s first Ku-band high-throughput satellite featuring large-volume data transmission and low-cost data traffic, which enables users to enjoy high-speed Internet services anytime and anywhere.
Compared with traditional satellites, a high-throughput satellite has the characteristics of larger bandwidth, lower cost, smaller terminal and lower communication service threshold. It is considered to be a game changer in the industry, according to the Daily.
APStar-6D is expected to be fixed at 134 degrees east longitude, and can provide coverage over the full field of view of the satellite from China in the center, to Hawaii in the east, the Indian Ocean in the west, Australia and New Zealand in the south, and Russia in the north.
In 2016, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation signed a contract with the Shenzhen Municipal Government for APStar-6D, marking the launch of China’s first global high-throughput broadband satellite communication system.
A number of satellite gateways and satellite measurement and control centers have been built by APSATCOM for the operation of APStar-6D. The gateways in Shenzhen, Beijing, Xi’an and Hong Kong have been completed and are available for use.
It is noteworthy that the gateway in Shenzhen is the first satellite gateway that is open to the public in China.