Apstar 6

{{Short description|Communications satellite}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Apstar 6

| image =

| image_caption =

| mission_type =

| operator = APT Satellite

| website =

| COSPAR_ID =

| SATCAT =

| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
{{time interval|April 12, 2005, 00:00|show=ymd|sep=,}}
(in progress)

| spacecraft_bus = Spacebus 4000C1

| manufacturer = Alcatel Space

| dry_mass =

| launch_mass = {{convert|5000|kg}}

| power =

| launch_date = {{start-date|April 12, 2005}}

| launch_rocket = Long March 3B

| launch_site = Xichang LA-2

| launch_contractor =

| entered_service =

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| orbit_epoch =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Geostationary

| orbit_periapsis =

| orbit_apoapsis =

| orbit_inclination =

| orbit_period =

| orbit_longitude = 134° East {{coord|0|134|display=title}}

| orbit_slot =

| apsis = gee

| trans_band = 38 C band
12 K_u band

| trans_frequency =

| trans_bandwidth = 36 MHz
50 MHz

| trans_capacity =

| trans_coverage =

| trans_TWTA = 64W (C band)
145 (K_u band)

| trans_EIRP = at Peak: 42 decibel-watts
60 decibel-watts

| trans_HPBW =

}}

Apstar 6 is a communications satellite built by Alcatel Space, a subsidiary of Alcatel, and was boosted into orbit on April 12, 2005, by Long March 3B launcher from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China. It provides APT Satellite, a satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region, with broadband media and television services.

It is fitted with 38 C-band transponders and 12 K_u band transponders. China is covered with a dedicated high power K_u band beam for broadband multimedia transmission. It is the second model of the Spacebus 4000. The transponders have a reduced C-band receiving dish over a wide footprint, which extends across India, China and Australia.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

It is significant in enhancing cooperation between Alcatel Space and China as a - to the SINOSAT satellite.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} Apstar 6 was built as an ITAR-free satellite, containing no restricted U.S. components.{{cite book|last1=Harvey|first1=Brian|title=China in Space: The Great Leap Forward|url=https://archive.org/details/chinaspacegreatl00harv|url-access=limited|date=2013|publisher=Springer|location=New York|isbn=9781461450436|pages=[https://archive.org/details/chinaspacegreatl00harv/page/n172 160]–162}} Under the U.S. ITAR regulations, U.S. satellite components may not be exported for launch on Chinese rockets. However, the U.S. Department of State did not accept the ITAR-free status of these satellites and fined the US company Aeroflex $8 million for selling ITAR components. In 2013, Thales Alenia discontinued its ITAR-free satellite line.{{cite news|last1=Ferster|first1=Warren|title=U.S. Satellite Component Maker Fined $8 Million for ITAR Violations|url=http://spacenews.com/37071us-satellite-component-maker-fined-8-million-for-itar-violations/|work=SpaceNews|date=5 September 2013}}