The APSTAR 1 spacecraft carries such general communications traffic as voice, fax,
data, and television signals across China and Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and
Vietnam. APSTAR 1A has expanded coverage to India and Pakistan. Hughes Space and
Communications International, Inc., signed a contract in May 1992 with APT Satellite
Company, Ltd., of Hong Kong for the first satellite. APT ordered APSTAR IA in March 1995.
The spacecraft were built at the Hughes Space and Communications Company facilities in El
Segundo, Calif.
APSTAR I and IA are is the latest versions of the popular HS-376 spin-stabilized satellite. They carry 24 active
transponders (with six spares), operating in the C-band (6/4 GHz) and extended C-band (3.6
GHz) frequency range, and are powered by 15 watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers. Each of
four channels has 72 MHz of bandwidth, and the remaining 20 each have 36 MHz capacity.
Radiated power over China averages 35 dBW.
All spacecraft in the HS-376 satellite line have
two telescoping cylindrical solar panels and an antenna or antenna array that folds down
for launch. APSTAR I and IA measure 2.2 meters in diameter and a compact 3.1 meters tall
when stowed for launch. With the solar panels deployed and the antenna unfolded in orbit,
they measure 7.5 meters.
The solar panels are covered with K-4 3/4 solar cells, which produce 1130 Watts at
beginning of life. During eclipse, two super nickel-cadmium batteries provide power for
uninterrupted service. With stationkeeping fuel the satellites weighed about 726 kg at
beginning of life on-orbit.
The transmit and receive beams are created by a 2-meter round antenna with two
reflecting surfaces. One is sensitive to vertical polarization and the other to
horizontal. Separate microwave feed networks are used for the different polarizations.
APSTAR I has an operational life of 9 years. The APSTAR IA contract calls for 10 years
of service.
APT contracted for both satellites to be launched aboard the Chinese CZ-3. Hughes provided APT with support services for the
missions. The company also trained APT's satellite controllers and built a satellite
control facility in the Tai Po region of Hong Kong. The center is similar to 22 other
facilities built by Hughes for customers around the world.
APStar 1A was renamed ZX-5D in September 2010 and APStar 1 was renamed ZX-5E in October 2012.
