BEIJING, Oct. 23 (China Space News) — On 17 October 2015, APT Satellite Company Limited (APT Satellite) entered into the Contract for the APSTAR-6C communications satellite with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC).

According to the APSTAR-6C satellite Contract, as the prime contractor, CGWIC will be responsible for the in-orbit delivery to APT Satellite the APSTART-6C satellite and ground control system for the satellite operation, with the support of its subcontractors.

APSTAR-6C satellite is the second DFH-4 platform satellite that APT Satellite has procured from CGWIC. APSTAR-6C is an in-orbit delivery program, and it will be launched in 2018 on a LM-3B launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

The satellite will be equipped with 45 transponders in C, Ku, and Ka bands, with designed service life of 15 years, providing high power transponder services to customers across the Asia-Pacific region for VSAT, video distribution, DTH and cellular backhaul applications.