Laos satellite project on track
Play
Laos is on schedule to launch its first in 2015, when the country celebrates its 40th anniversary, a senior government source has said.
The government last year partnered with the China-based Chengdu Linhai Electronics Company Ltd to form the Lao-Linhai International Satellite Telecommunication Company to carry out the project.
“Project officials are in the process of purchasing the satellite. Officials in charge are also detailing framework activities to carry out the project in the expectation of launching the satellite in 2015 to mark the 40th Lao National Day,” said the government source.
The US$960-million project will provide 36 transponders for TV signals and enable transmission to many countries.
Laos will hold a 30 per cent share in the project with the other 70 per cent owned by the Chengdu Linhai Electronics Company.
Under the MOU, the Chinese company and the Lao government will jointly build a factory that will manufacture satellite equipment and various electronic communications components. They will also set up the Institute for Science Educational Research and Technology Aerospace to train personnel required for the project.
A previous joint venture with a Thai investor to put a satellite into orbit at the same location failed when the Thai party ran into financial difficulties.
