…into orbit with its Long March-3B carrier rocket—this occurred on Saturday, according to Xinhua. The launch occurred from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province and was for APT Satellite Holdings Limited, which now owns and operates six in-orbit satellites. APSTAR-7, developed by Thales Alenia Space, reached its designated orbit 26 minutes after launch and will replace the APSTAR-2R, which has been in orbit about 16 years.
APSTAR-7 is a high-power broadcasting and communication satellite that can provide TV transmission and satellite communication services to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and Europe, as well as live TV broadcasting and transcontinental communication and broadcasting services to China, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. APSTAR-7 is based on the SPACEBUS4000-C2 platform and offers 28 C- and 28 Ku-band transponders.
