MEASAT also announced that MEASAT-3a has been returned to the Orbital Sciences facility in Dulles, U.S., after the completion of a complex de-fueling and decontamination process. The satellite is now undergoing final repairs and testing in preparation for the June 2009 launch. MEASAT-3a, manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation, has been designed to support the growth of the MEASAT Direct-to-Home TV and Broadcast Distribution neighborhood at the 91.5 degrees East orbital slot. The launch of the satellite on a Land-Launch Zenit-3SLB launch vehicle, contracted with Intelsat Corporation, had been postponed from August 2008, due to an incident during pre-launch operations at the launch site.
(Image courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation)