Space Systems/Loral (SSL) and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company, known simply as AsiaSat, have signed a construction agreement for AsiaSat 9, a high-power, multi-mission satellite, to be used for TV broadcast, private networks and broadband services across the Asia Pacific. The satellite is expected to be launched in 2016.
“SSL and AsiaSat have developed a successful working relationship based on our mutual focus on quality, reliability and value,” says John Celli, President of SSL. “This is our fifth satellite contract award from AsiaSat since 2006, and we feel there is no better endorsement of our success than this repeat business.”
Designed to operate in C, Ku, and Ka band, AsiaSat 9 will be located at 122 degrees East where it will replace AsiaSat 4. AsiaSat 9 will provide service to multiple markets with more active transponders and higher power performance than the current satellite.
“We can depend on our trusted partner SSL to build the highly reliable satellites that have helped us earn a reputation for quality service and technical excellence,” says William Wade, President and CEO of AsiaSat. “We are very pleased that the AsiaSat 9 project is underway and once launched, it will greatly expand our ability to serve the Asia-Pacific region with higher power and multi-beam coverage.”
The satellite is based on the SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which has a long history of reliability and provides the power and flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The AsiaSat 9 spacecraft is designed with the flexibility to include a weather sensor, at a future date.
AsiaSat’s two new satellites AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2014, are also built by SSL.
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