Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, announced today in Singapore that Arianespace will launch in 2008 the VINASAT-1 satellite for Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (VNPT). VINASAT-1 will be built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS).
The first Vietnamese telecommunications satellite, VINASAT-1 will be launched on an Ariane 5 vehicle during the first half of 2008 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
VINASAT-1 is the 275th contract won by Arianespace since the company’s founding in March 1980 and the 53rd launch for a satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. VINASAT-1 is the 39th satellite platform built by Lockheed Martin to be launched by Arianespace.
The turnkey VINASAT-1 satellite system will be built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems at its plant in Newtown, Pennsylvania, using the A2100 platform. Weighing about 2,600 kg at launch, it will be positioned at 132 degrees East Longitude, and will offer a design life exceeding 15 years. Fitted with 20 C- and Ku-band transponders, VINASAT-1 will provide radio, television and telephone transmission services for all of Vietnam and the Asia Pacific region from its geostationary orbit.
“We are delighted to be working with the people at LMCSS once again,” said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace CEO. “This contract is the latest mark of recognition of the excellent service and solutions offered by Arianespace. We are also very honored to be selected to orbit Vietnam’s first communications satellite, and we are very proud to be participating in the country’s economic development.”
Ted Gavrilis, President of Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, added: “Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems is proud to join Arianespace’s highly professional launch team to ensure the successful launch of VINASAT-1. We are confident that the expertise and heritage we bring to the VINASAT-1 program, along with Arianespace’s outstanding launch service, will result in superior program execution for an on-time delivery of Vietnam’s first telecommunications spacecraft.”
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50 percent of the international market for satellites launched to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Created in 1980 as the world’s first commercial space transportation company, Arianespace has signed contracts for the launch of 275 satellite payloads. For further information, see the Arianespace Web site at www.arianespace.com.
