Malaysia Satellite Technology
Sunday, September 23, 2007
MEASET-3
In March 2003, MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT)of Malaysia ordered a high-power commercial communications satellite from Boeing. The new Boeing 601HP satellite, designated MEASAT-3, will join the existing Boeing-built MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 spacecraft in the Malaysia-East Asia Satellite (MEASAT) system.
MEASAT-3 will be located at 91.5 degrees East longitude and will provide expansion capacity for MEASAT to meet the increasing market demand for satellite services within the region. Boeing is also providing an upgrade to the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Center facilities by assisting in the relocation of MEASAT's control station to Cyberjaya, Malaysian near Kuala Lumpur, as well as training and launch support services.
Scheduled for launch in December 2006, MEASAT-3 will employ 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, each providing 36 MHz of bandwidth over a 15-year minimum service life. MEASAT-3's C-band payload will cover Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia. The Ku-band payload has been designed to provide high-powered flexible service options for the development of data services and Direct-to-Home applications in Malaysia, Indonesia, India and China.
The body-stabilized Boeing 601 satellite is the best-selling large spacecraft model in the world. Eighty-two orders for the spacecraft had been received by November 2006.
The Boeing 601 was introduced in 1987 to meet anticipated requirements for high-power, multiple-payload satellites for such applications as direct television broadcasting to small receiving antennas, very small aperture terminals for private business networks, and mobile communications.
Artist rendering of MeaSat 3 satellite shown stowed and deployed.
Stowed (left); In Orbit (right)
A more powerful version, the Boeing 601HP, made its debut in 1995. The HP versions can carry payloads twice as powerful as the classic Boeing 601 models, through such innovations as gallium arsenide solar cells and advanced battery technology. The 601HP features as many as 60 transponders and provides up to 11,000 watts.
All Boeing 601 spacecraft use the same basic bus design, enabling Boeing to realize efficiencies gained by production volume, tooling investments and quantity buys.
MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. is the only licensed commercial satellite operator in Malaysia. MEASAT pioneered the development of high-powered Ku-band Direct-to-Home services into South East Asia with the launch of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 in 1996, providing Cband and Ku-band connectivity spanning India, Asia, Australia and the U.S. via Hawaii.
The Boeing Company is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
MEASAT1 and MEASAT2
In May 1994, Binariang Sdn. Bhd. of Kuala Lumpur and Boeing Satellite Systems signed a contract calling for the construction of the Malaysia East Asia Satellite (MEASAT) system. The system called for one Boeing 376 model spacecraft, equipment for a satellite control station on Langkawi Island, and training of Malaysian spacecraft controllers. Binariang exercised its option for a second satellite in January 1995.
MEASAT 1 has five high-power transponders in Ku-band for the direct-to-user service, powered by 112-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers. The regional service is provided on 12 transponders in C-band, using 12-watt solid state amplifiers. MEASAT-2 has 11 active transponders in Ku-band. Eight of these use 95-watt traveling-wave amplifiers, and three have 62 watts. There also are six active transponders in C-band, powered by 12-watt solid-state amplifiers.
As Boeing 376 spacecraft, the MEASAT satellites have three enhancements over the standard model. They were the first in the Boeing 376 series to be fitted with gallium arsenide solar cells, which deliver 40 percent more payload power as compared to their silicon predecessors. They were also the first Boeing 376s to use Boeing Satellite Systems' lightweight, high-gain shaped antenna. The satellites also used a more efficient bipropellant system for stationkeeping and attitude control maneuvers.
Both MEASAT-1 & 2 satellites were launched on Ariane rockets from Centre Spatial Guyanais at Kourou in French Guiana. MEASAT-1 was launched in January 1996, and MEASAT-2 was launched in November 1996. MEASAT-1 is located in a geostationary orbit at 91.5 degrees East, and MEASAT-2 is located in a geostationary orbit at 148 degrees East.
MEASAT-1 Orbital Location: 91.5°East
Geographic Coverage: South East Asia, northern Australia and Guam
Launch Year: 1996
Present Status: Operational
Type of Satellite: Boeing 376 HP
Launch vehicle: Ariane 4
Design Lifetime: 12 years
SSPA Power: 12 Watts
Transponder Bandwidth: 12×36MHz
Channel Polarization: Linear
MEASAT 1 has five high-power transponders in Ku-band for the direct-to-user service, powered by 112-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers. The regional service is provided on 12 transponders in C-band, using 12-watt solid state amplifiers. MEASAT-2 has 11 active transponders in Ku-band. Eight of these use 95-watt traveling-wave amplifiers, and three have 62 watts. There also are six active transponders in C-band, powered by 12-watt solid-state amplifiers.
As Boeing 376 spacecraft, the MEASAT satellites have three enhancements over the standard model. They were the first in the Boeing 376 series to be fitted with gallium arsenide solar cells, which deliver 40 percent more payload power as compared to their silicon predecessors. They were also the first Boeing 376s to use Boeing Satellite Systems' lightweight, high-gain shaped antenna. The satellites also used a more efficient bipropellant system for stationkeeping and attitude control maneuvers.
Both MEASAT-1 & 2 satellites were launched on Ariane rockets from Centre Spatial Guyanais at Kourou in French Guiana. MEASAT-1 was launched in January 1996, and MEASAT-2 was launched in November 1996. MEASAT-1 is located in a geostationary orbit at 91.5 degrees East, and MEASAT-2 is located in a geostationary orbit at 148 degrees East.
MEASAT-1 Orbital Location: 91.5°East
Geographic Coverage: South East Asia, northern Australia and Guam
Launch Year: 1996
Present Status: Operational
Type of Satellite: Boeing 376 HP
Launch vehicle: Ariane 4
Design Lifetime: 12 years
SSPA Power: 12 Watts
Transponder Bandwidth: 12×36MHz
Channel Polarization: Linear
Monday, September 10, 2007
MEASAT - Quality Satellite Solutions from the Center of Asia
Since 1996, MEASAT has provided reliable satellite solutions to customers across the Asia-Pacific region. With rights to 16 orbital slots around the world, MEASAT today owns and operates three satellites, MEASAT-1 (91.5ºE), MEASAT-2 (148ºE) and MEASAT-3 (91.5ºE). The satellite fleet provides services to over 110 countries, representing more than 70% of the world’s population, across Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa through a single C-Band beam. With satellites designed to cut through the high tropical rainfall, these satellites also provide DTH quality Ku-band coverage into Malaysia, IndoChina, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia.
The MEASAT network supports many of the region's leading broadcasters, DTH operators and telecommunications companies. MEASAT supports the Astro DTH service in Malaysia, providing DTH multi-channel television services to over 2.0 million subscribers, as well as DTH services in Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines. MEASAT is also used by many of the region's leading terrestrial broadcasters to distribute television programming to cable head-ends, and by telecommunications operators to support remote connectivity, GSM and corporate VSAT networks.
To meet growing customer needs, and provide critical in-orbit redundancy at the 91.5ºE orbital location, in 2003 MEASAT contracted Boeing to build and deliver its third satellite, MEASAT-3. Launched in December 2006, MEASAT-3 provides 24 C-band transponders providing coverage across a region bounded by Africa and Eastern Europe in the West, through to Japan and Australia in the East. MEASAT-3 has been designed as one of the region's most powerful video distribution platforms. With 24 Ku-band transponders, and high powered spot beams focused on Malaysia, Indonesia and South Asia, MEASAT-3 has also been designed to provide distinctive satellite coverage for DTH and VSAT services.
Leveraging facilities at the world-class MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre in Cyberjaya and working with a select group of world-class media partners including Astro, Pacific Century Matrix and STT, MEASAT provides a complete range of value added services to our customer base in the Broadcasting, Telecommunications and IP industries.
With highly reliable satellite services, and a focus on superior customer support, MEASAT has grown into one of the region's leading satellite service providers, delivering truly distinctive satellite solutions to over 70% of the world's population.
The MEASAT network supports many of the region's leading broadcasters, DTH operators and telecommunications companies. MEASAT supports the Astro DTH service in Malaysia, providing DTH multi-channel television services to over 2.0 million subscribers, as well as DTH services in Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines. MEASAT is also used by many of the region's leading terrestrial broadcasters to distribute television programming to cable head-ends, and by telecommunications operators to support remote connectivity, GSM and corporate VSAT networks.
To meet growing customer needs, and provide critical in-orbit redundancy at the 91.5ºE orbital location, in 2003 MEASAT contracted Boeing to build and deliver its third satellite, MEASAT-3. Launched in December 2006, MEASAT-3 provides 24 C-band transponders providing coverage across a region bounded by Africa and Eastern Europe in the West, through to Japan and Australia in the East. MEASAT-3 has been designed as one of the region's most powerful video distribution platforms. With 24 Ku-band transponders, and high powered spot beams focused on Malaysia, Indonesia and South Asia, MEASAT-3 has also been designed to provide distinctive satellite coverage for DTH and VSAT services.
Leveraging facilities at the world-class MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre in Cyberjaya and working with a select group of world-class media partners including Astro, Pacific Century Matrix and STT, MEASAT provides a complete range of value added services to our customer base in the Broadcasting, Telecommunications and IP industries.
With highly reliable satellite services, and a focus on superior customer support, MEASAT has grown into one of the region's leading satellite service providers, delivering truly distinctive satellite solutions to over 70% of the world's population.
