China carried out its third space mission of 2023 on Thursday (Jan. 12) with the launch of a business telecommunications satellite.
A Lengthy March 2C rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite tv for pc Launch Heart Thursday at 11:10 a.m. EST (1810 GMT; 2:10 a.m. on Jan. 13 Beijing time).Â
The China Aerospace Science and Know-how Company (CASC), which developed each the rocket and satellite, announced (opens in new tab) the success of the launch inside the hour.Â
Associated: The latest news about China’s space program
The APStar 6E satellite was ordered by APT Satellite tv for pc of Hong Kong and can add to the corporate’s fleet of telecommunications satellites serving the Asia-Pacific area.
The 4,607-pound (2,090 kilograms) satellite was developed by the China Academy of House Know-how (CAST) and primarily based on a brand new, small DFH-3E satellite platform that includes all-electric propulsion.
The satellite was despatched into an preliminary low Earth orbit however will spend a lot of the 12 months elevating its altitude to succeed in geostationary orbit, 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the equator. APStar 6E launched with a separable propulsion system that may enhance the satellite into a better orbit, after which the satellite’s personal propulsion will full the months-long journey to geostationary orbit.Â
APStar 6E is deliberate to function for a service lifetime of 15 years from a place mounted over 134 levels east latitude. From there it is going to present 30 gigabits per second payload capability with 25 Ku-band and three Ka-band person beams.
The launch was China’s third of the 12 months. CASC, China’s state-owned important space contractor, is planning to launch greater than 50 instances this 12 months, together with sending cargo and crew missions to the nation’s Tiangong space station.
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