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Measat to Launch Latest Satellite on Dec 12 |
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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 27, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s satellite operator, said its latest satellite will be launched on December 12.
Last week, Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced that the Measat-3 communications satellite has been shipped from the Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, Calif., to Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where it will be readied for a December launch aboard an International Launch Services Proton/Breeze M rocket.
The Boeing 601 HP satellite was manufactured for Measat by Boeing Satellite Systems International and will join the existing Measat-1 and Measat-2 satellites to expand the Measat satellite fleet providing coverage over the wider Asia-Pacific region to direct-to-home, broadcasting and telecommunications customers. Boeing also has provided upgrades to the Measat Teleport and Broadcasting Center located just outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Measat has grown into one Asia’s leading satellite service providers. Measat supports the Astro direct-to-home (DTH) service in Malaysia, providing DTH multi-channel television services to over 1.5 million subscribers.
“The shipment of Measat-3 represents another key milestone toward enabling Measat to provide services capable of reaching customers in more than 100 countries,” said Stephen T. O'Neill, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. “With the addition of the third Boeing-built satellite to Measat's existing fleet, Boeing technology will serve an area that represents two-thirds of the world's population.”
Measat-3 will be co-located with Measat-1 at 91.5 degrees East longitude. It will provide 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band high powered transponders, each providing 36 MHz of bandwidth over a 15-year service life. Measat-3's C-band payload will provide service over a region, including Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa, representing 70 percent of the world's population. The Ku-band payload has been designed to provide high-powered, flexible service options for the development direct-to-home applications across Malaysia, Indonesia and South Asia.
Meanwhile, Measat said it has secured a Launch and In Orbit Operations Insurance Policy for Measat-3 from Willis Ltd and Willis (M) Sdn Bhd. The insurance will cover any loss, damage or failure from a launch anomaly and satellite anomaly for one year.
Reports say the coverage is for $270 million (RM982.8 million) in the event of a launch anomaly and $200 million (RM728 million) from a satellite anomaly. Measat is paying an insurance premium of $32.3 million (RM117.6 million) payable 15 days before the launch date.
Recent Stories: Measat Vice President Elected to ITU Radio Regulations Board Boeing Ships Measat-3 Satellite to Baikonur Cosmodrome for Launch |
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