Thai Shin Satellite Says iPSTAR to be Launched Mid July

BANGKOK, May 27, 2005/Satnews Daily/ ― Thailand’s Shin Satellite PCL (SATTEL.TH) said on Thursday it plans to launch its iPSTAR satellite on July 14-18.

According to Shin Satellite, the delivery of the satellite was delayed by manufacturer Space Systems/Loral to allow more time for the testing procedures and ensure the success of the $400 million broadband satellite.

iPSTAR-1 (Thaicom 4) is a high-powered geostationary satellite to be used for broadband communications applications by Shin Satellite. iPSTAR-1 will provide direct-to-desktop, last-mile services, including new multimedia and data services to customers in Asia, India, and Australia. 

Featuring 87 Ku-band transponders and 10 Ka-band transponders and weighting about 6700 kg, iPSTAR 1 will be one of the heaviest commercial geostationary communication satellite. It is based on Loral's LS-1300S bus.
 

Shin Satellite said the spacecraft will be sent to Arianespace’s launch site in French Guiana on June 8, and is expected to complete a verification test on June 27 and be transferred to the launch pad on July 12.

In the meantime, activity at Arianspace’s Spaceport is in full swing as preparations move forward for two upcoming Ariane 5 launches from French Guiana.

Two weeks ago, Arianespace said one Ariane 5 Generic vehicle has been transferred to the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, readying it for the installation of mission's satellite payload and freeing up the Launcher Integration Building for the startup of assembly with another Ariane 5.

Arianespace, however, has not identified the payloads for the two upcoming Ariane 4 launches.

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