SpaceX To Launch AsiaSat 6 And AsiaSat 8 In 2014

SpaceX and AsiaSat today announced an agreement to launch two AsiaSat communications satellites using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in 2014.

AsianScientist (Feb. 8, 2012) – Space launch company, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Asian satellite operator, Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) today announced an agreement to launch two AsiaSat communications satellites using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in 2014.

AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8 are scheduled to launch in the first half of 2014 from SpaceX’s launch complex at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, USA.

AsiaSat 6 will have 28 high-powered C-band transponders while AsiaSat 8 will have 24 Ku-band transponders and a Ka-band beam. The high-powered transponders on the satellite will enable the use of small antennas on the ground. The two SS/L 1300 satellites will serve Asia, the Middle East, and Australasia.

AsiaSat, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, serves over 620 million TV households across the Asia-Pacific region with its four satellites, AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5, and AsiaSat 7.

“We look forward to the timely and successful launches of AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8, thereby expanding our fleet from four to six satellites in 2014 to provide more high quality and comprehensive satellite services in the Asia-Pacific region,” said William Wade, President and CEO of AsiaSat.

In 2010, the American start-up SpaceX – brainchild of PayPal co-founder Elon Musk – became the first commercial company in history to put a spacecraft into orbit and return it safely to Earth.

With the retirement of the space shuttle, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft is expected to someday carry cargo – and one day astronauts – to and from the International Space Station for NASA.

“SpaceX is proud to be the choice of AsiaSat, a pioneer in advancing satellite communications in Asia,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and CTO.

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Source: SpaceX; Photo: SpaceX.
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