Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) and powered by Saft's lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology, the MEASAT-3a was successfully launched into space on Monday, 22 June, 2009, from a Land Launch rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan launch site. The MEASAT-3a contained two of Saft's VES 140 batteries on-board, for a total of 72 VES 140 cells. This launch makes a total of 33 spacecraft in orbit today using Saft Li-ion battery technology.

Saft's rechargeable Li-ion batteries power the MEASAT-3a during two eclipse seasons per year when the spacecraft is blocked from the sun, resulting in significant energy and weight savings for the satellite. By substantially decreasing the weight, the MEASAT-3a can dedicate more of its crucial mass to the payload, creating a more powerful satellite. In addition to the MEASAT-3a, Saft has provided batteries for several Orbital-built satellites, including the Optus D3, which is scheduled to launch later this year, and both the Optus D1 and Optus D2 satellites that launched in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Saft also supplied its Li-ion technology for Orbital's Horizons-2 and THOR 5 satellites, both launched in 2008. Orbital's KOREASAT 6 is currently being manufactured with Saft Li-ion batteries on board and is scheduled for launch in 2010.