Thu, Jun 16, 2011
Thai Company Will Launch Satellite Aboard A Falcon 9 From Cape
Canaveral
Thai satellite company THAICOM Plc. has chosen SpaceX to launch
the new Thaicom 6 telecommunications satellite into a
geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from its Cape Canaveral launch
site in the second quarter of 2013.
Falcon 9 Launch From Cape Canaveral
The contract brings another international launch to the United
States to fly with SpaceX. Thaicom is the eighth non-U.S. customer
manifested for upcoming flights aboard the Falcon 9. “This
deal highlights the confidence that satellite operators have in
SpaceX capabilities, and is the latest example of the effect SpaceX
is having on the international commercial launch market,”
said Elon Musk, SpaceX chief executive officer (CEO) and chief
technical officer (CTO). “Asia is a critical market and
SpaceX is honored to support its growing launch needs with a
reliable U.S.-based solution.”
The Thaicom 6 satellite is designed to serve the growing
satellite television market in South and South-East Asia, as well
as Southern Africa. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation of
Dulles, VA , and expected to weigh about 7,000 pounds at launch,
the satellite will operate from 78.5 degrees east and carry 18
C-band and eight Ku-band transponders. Thaicom 6 is planned to be
in service by the middle of 2013.
Arak Chonlatanon, CEO of Thaicom Plc., said, “The Falcon 9
will serve our unique needs at Thaicom. This dedicated launch
vehicle is both cost-effective and best-matched to our
requirements. We look forward to working closely with the SpaceX
team to ensure that the Thaicom 6 satellite will be successfully
launched.”
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