ZX 18 [CAST]
ZX 18 (Zhongxing 18, ChinaSat 18) is a Chinese communications satellite based upon a DFH-4E bus.
The Chinasat 18 provides Ku commercial communications services with 30 Ku-band transponders, Ka broadband communication services with 14 Ka-band MSS spot user beams and exploring Ka-band broadcasting services with 2 Ka BSS-band transponders within the service coverage areas.
The satellite was manufactured by CAST and was launched onboard a CZ-3B/G2 launch vehicle. The satellite is to be launched and to provide services in the first quarter of 2019 but delayed to August 2019.
The satellite was successfully launched into geostationary transfer orbit, but suffered anomalies after launch. A month after launch, it still remained in geostationary transfer orbit, suggesting a mission failure.
Nation: | China |
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Type / Application: | Communication |
Operator: | China Satcom |
Contractors: | CAST |
Equipment: | 30 Ku-band transponders, 14 Ka MSS-band spot user beams, 2 Ka BSS-band transponders |
Configuration: | DFH-4E bus |
Propulsion: | |
Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
Lifetime: | 15 years |
Mass: | |
Orbit: | GEO (planned) |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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ZX 18 (ChinaSat 18) | 2019-053A | 19.08.2019 | Xi LC-2 | CZ-3B/G2 |