In a landmark achievement for China’s space industry, the nation’s first all-electric propulsion telecommunications satellite, APSTAR-6E, officially commenced operational services on Monday.
The satellite’s entry into service follows a successful in-orbit and ground system technical review held in Hong Kong, as announced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the satellite’s developer. This milestone marks a significant step forward in China’s capabilities in satellite technology and electric propulsion.
APSTAR-6E, a geostationary orbit satellite based on the DFH-3E satellite platform, boasts a designed lifespan of 15 years. As the inaugural satellite of the DFH-3E series, it has achieved a world first by autonomously transferring from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit using solely electric propulsion systems.
Launched atop a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on January 13, 2023, APSTAR-6E successfully separated from its independent propulsion module. It then utilized its twin electric propulsion systems to reach its designated geostationary orbit, showcasing the efficiency and reliability of electric propulsion in satellite orbit transfers.
The satellite is set to provide cost-effective, high-throughput broadband communication services across the Southeast Asia region. Its operational deployment is poised to enhance regional connectivity, support economic growth, and meet the increasing demand for reliable broadband services among businesses and communities.
APSTAR-6E’s success not only underscores China’s advancing aerospace technology but also contributes to the global telecommunications infrastructure. The satellite’s capabilities open up new avenues for international collaboration in space technology and demonstrate the potential of electric propulsion systems in future satellite missions.
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China's telecom satellite APSTAR-6E begins operational services
cgtn.com
