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APSTAR-6 (28638)
COSPAR: 2005-012A | Alt Name: Apstar 6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 12, 2005
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
28638
International Designator
2005-012A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:14:06 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
7.40°
Right Ascension
69.06°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
316.03°
Period
1460.89 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
APSTAR-6
Alternative Name
Apstar 6
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
APT
Country
China(Hong Kong)
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 28638U 05012A 26185.13479792 -.00000030 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 28638 7.4042 69.0567 0008423 316.0272 224.1436 0.98570218102204
Source: Celestrak
Summary
APSTAR-6, also known as Apstar 6, is a communication satellite operated by APT. Launched on April 12, 2005, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF) using the Chang Zheng 3B launch vehicle, it has a dry mass of 3,000 kg and was manufactured by ALC. The spacecraft is equipped with 38 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders for communication purposes. It measures 5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and has a span of 38 meters due to its deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. The satellite follows a Box + 2 Pan shape with an RCS of 31.6228 and was designed to operate for a lifetime of 14 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
2.5
Span
38
Dry Mass
3000
Launch Mass
4576
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
31.6228
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Apstar 6
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ALC
Life Expectancy
14 years
Bus
Spacebus 4000C2
Configuration
Spacebus-4000C2
Motor
S400
Equipment
38 C-band transponders, 12 Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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