Thaicom 8 successfully launched
Thaicom 8 was successfully launched into Geostationary Transfer orbit at 4.39am Thailand time on Saturday using a Falcon 9 rocket by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The satellite will enlarge Thaicom’s footprint over high growth Asia markets where it will strengthen its broadcast platform at the 78.5 degrees east longitude position, the company said in a press statement.
Paiboon Panuwattanawong, chief executive officer of Thaicom, said: “The successful launch of Thaicom 8 will enable the company to provide added satellite capacity to meet the long-term growth needs in our markets. We will be able to support the high demand for capacity of the broadcasting industry as it transitions from standard definition to high definition, and ultimately, to ultra-high definition broadcasting. Thaicom 8 will also enable us to offer new value added services on an end-to-end basis to broadcasters and the media industry, thus expanding our satellite distribution platform and competitiveness.”
The satellite has a total of 24 Ku-band transponders which will cover Thailand, South Asia, and Africa. Co-located with THAICOM 5 and Thaicom 6 at 78.5 degrees East longitude, Thaicom 8 will be ready for service within one month’s time to serve customers’ needs for increased Ku-band capacity. It is designed to operate for more than 15 years.
