Alcatel Space, a subsidiary of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) and Shin Satellite Inc. of Thailand, a major satellite operator, today announced the signature of a contract for the construction of the Thaicom 5 communications satellite.
The contract covers the on ground delivery of the satellite, the launch campaign, the support of LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) and IOT (In Orbit Test). It is dedicated to replace Thaicom 1 and Thaicom 2, which are due to be retired in 2008 and 2009 respectively. It will support Shin Sat satellite operation at 78.5°E and will allow the operator to expand its Ku-Band channels offering over Thailand as well as in the neighbouring countries. It will provide high quality, broadcasting, telecommunication and broadband services.
Thaicom 5 satellite is based on the highly reliable design of the Spacebus family, which benefits from a large experience in orbit. With a launch mass of around 2.8 tons, a power of around 5 kW (end of life), it will be equipped with 14 Ku-Band transponders and 24 C-Band transponders.
Thaicom 5 will be integrated and assembled in the Alcatel Space clean rooms in Cannes for a delivery scheduled the second quarter of next year. This new contract with Shin Satellite enables Alcatel Space to reinforce its longstanding cooperation with the operator.
About Alcatel Space
Alcatel Space, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcatel, is the world’s third largest satellite manufacturer and Number 1 in Europe. Deploying extensive dual expertise in civil and military applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite solutions for telecommunications, navigation, radar and optical observation, meteorology and science. The company is also the leading European prime contractor for earth observation, meteorology and navigation ground segments, and for space system operation. For more information, visit the Alcatel Space web site: www.alcatel.com/space
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
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