On January 20, 2006, China Great Wall (CGWIC) and China Satellite Communications Corporation (ChinaSat) signed in Beijing a Launch Services Contract for the ChinaSat 6B satellite using a Long March 3B Launch Vehicle (LM-3B). This marks the second major co-operation program between both parties since the signing of the ChinaSat 9 Launch Services Contract last November.
According to the contract, CGWIC, as the primary contractor, will provide the launch services for the ChinaSat 6B satellite with support from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC), and China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General Department (CLTC). ChinaSat 6B will be launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in 2007 and positioned at a longitude of 115.5° East.
ChinaSat 6B is a new-generation television broadcasting satellite manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space France based on that company’s 4000C2 platform. The satellite, which has a design in-orbit life span of 15 years and is fitted with a total of 38 transponders, will cover China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean as well as Oceania and providing broadcasting for 300 TV channels.
The LM-3B launch vehicle, designed and manufactured by CALT, is the most powerful launch vehicle for Geo-stationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) missions in the Long March range of rockets. The LM-3B’s GTO payload capability is approximately 5100 kg. To date, LM-3B has completed 5 consecutive successful flights, while the Long March family as a whole has notched up a total of 46 consecutive successful launches since October 1996, a high level of reliability which has become widely recognised in the international space market.
China Great Wall has completed 24 international commercial launch services for 30 satellites including 6 piggy-back payloads since 1990. In recent years, the rapid development of China’s space industry, highlighted by its manned space program, has boosted the reputation of Chinese space products and helped to exploit international cooperation in the international space sector. Since early 2005, CGWIC has successfully launched the APSTAR-VI satellite, signed an In-orbit Delivery Contract for the VENESAT 1 satellite and a Launch Services Contract for the ChinaSat 9 Satellite. Chinese space products have a promising business future.