MEASAT-3a

The MEASAT-3a GEO communications satellite was successfully launched into orbit aboard a Land Launch Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan on June 21, 2009. The satellite is currently undergoing initial in-orbit testing and transfer of operational control to the customer is planned for later this summer.

MEASAT-3a was designed, developed, built and tested by Orbital for MEASAT Satellite Systems of Malaysia. Originally designed to replace the MEASAT-1 spacecraft, MEASAT-3a is MEASAT’s fourth communications satellite, and will provide C-band communications services throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and Ku-band direct-to-home television broadcasting to Malaysia and Indonesia. The spacecraft will be located at an orbital slot of 91.5 degrees East longitude and will generate approximately 3.5 kilowatts of payload power.

About STAR™ Satellites
Orbital’s highly successful communications satellites are based on the company’s STAR spacecraft platform, which is able to accommodate all types of commercial communications payloads. The STAR design is optimized for smaller satellite missions, generating between two and five kilowatts of payload power.

For many applications, the lighter-weight, more-affordable STAR design is an attractive alternative to the larger, more costly satellites offered by other suppliers. Orbital’s STAR satellites are smaller and significantly less expensive to manufacture and launch. They are an ideal fit for established companies that require incremental capacity for their network or for customers in the early stages of building their business.

For more information:
Orbital’s MEASAT-3a Webpage
MEASAT-3a Fact Sheet
MEASAT-3a Images
Orbital’s STAR Bus Fact Sheet
STAR Satellite Brochure
MEASAT Website
Land Launch Website