Page 64 - SAMENA Trends - April 2020

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Intelsat 901 Satellite Returns to Service Using Northrop Grumman’s Mission

Extension Vehicle

Intelsat has announced that Intelsat February rendezvous, MEV-1 has assumed orbital slot and providing full service to
901 has returned to service following navigation of the combined spacecraft Intelsat customers. Intelsat views life-
the successful docking with the first stack reducing its inclination by 1.6° and extension services, like MEV technology,
Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV-1) from relocating IS-901 to its new orbital location. as a cost-effective and efficient way to
Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Intelsat then transitioned roughly 30 of its minimize service disruptions, enhance the
company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, commercial and government customers overall flexibility of its satellite fleet and
SpaceLogistics LLC, on February 25 – the to the satellite on April 2. The transition better support the evolving needs of its
first time that two commercial spacecraft of service took approximately six hours. customers.
docked in geostationary orbit. Since the IS-901 is now operating at the 332.5°E

CAT Keen to Operate Thaicom 4, 6

CAT Telecom has expressed its readiness submitted to the cabinet for approval soon, capacity to serve 16 million subscriptions
to take control of satellites Thaicom 4 said CAT Telecom President Sanpachai of broadcasting services. Its lifespan runs
and 6 after Thaicom's satellite operating Huvanandana, adding: "We are waiting until 2029. According to Col Sanpachai,
concession ends in September next for the formal approval from the cabinet". CAT Telecom is in talks with three partners
year. The state telecom enterprise said "CAT is now ready to handle the task," Col to run business in relation to satellites in
it will assign 24 staff to attend a one- Sanpachai said. The company would be low earth orbit (LEO). There are more than
year satellite training course under responsible for asset management and 600 LEO satellites to be leveraged globally.
the collaboration with Thaicom from operations of national orbital slots with CAT would provide satellite gateway
September to ensure the seamless efficient capability and security. He said stations or earth stations to these LEO
continuity of the two satellites' operation. CAT Telecom has drawn up a national satellites as well as act as a marketing
The move follows a recent resolution satellite management plan, which was arm for the LEO satellites, he said. The
by the National Digital Economy and presented to the National Space Policy LEO satellites can be used to support 5G
Society Committee (NDESC) to approve Board and the NDESC on April 10. The plan network development, he said. Thaicom
CAT Telecom serving as the sole agency covers CAT's preparation for management Chief Executive Anant Kaewruamvongs
in handling the operations and assets in of satellite-related business and services. said the company is also waiting for the
connection with the satellite concession Thaicom 4 has an engineering lifespan formal resolution from the cabinet about
due to expire next year. Previously, the and fuel power until 2022, Col Sanpachai the two satellites' management. Thaicom
Digital Economy and Society (DES) said. Its 119.5 orbital slot is location of earlier submitted a proposal to the DES
Ministry planned to draft terms of reference high potential to support Thai and foreign Mministry, seeking a partnership with
(ToR) to seek companies to operate and customers. A drone will be deployed to CAT under the PPP model to operate the
make use of the assets under the public- refuel the satellite and in the future a satellites. When asked about the proposal
private partnership (PPP) model. But the new satellite may have to be acquired by the Bangkok Post, he refused to
move was later scrapped and the NDESC to replace it through a cooperation with discuss the matter. Thaicom adheres to its
agreed that CAT Telecom would be the partners, he said. Thaicom 6, which is existing concession condition, including
sole agency to handle the operation of at 78.5 East, is located in a so-called transferring related satellite assets to the
the two satellites after the concession hot bird position with high potential and state after the concession contract ends,
expires. Such a resolution would be business value. It is operating in full Mr. Anant said.

Tricolor Launches Satellite Broadband Services in Siberia

Russia’s leading pay-TV operator Tricolor reception equipment to receive unlimited stereotype of satellite internet being slow
and Eutelsat Networks have made their internet with download speeds of up to and expensive. Reception equipment, for
satellite internet service available in 40Mbps. Through this they will also be instance, is being offered at the special
Siberia. According to Tricolor, residents of able to access such services as Tricolor’s price of R9,990 (€123.7). Tricolor has
the region, including those in Novosibirsk, online platform through the free Tricolor operated a satellite internet service since
Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, Barnaul, Irkutsk, Cinema and TV application. Tricolor September 2016.
Tomsk and Kemerovo, can now purchase also says that the service breaks the
64 APRIL 2020