MEASAT-3 Satellite Successfully Launched

The Proton Breeze-M rocket carrying the MEASAT-3 satellite successfully took off at 7:28:30 am Malaysian time (5:28:30 am Baikonur time) this morning.

The launch took place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the historic location from which the Vostok-1 rocket carrying Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, was launched.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and around 1,200 guests were at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here to witness the launch, which was transmitted live via satellite video feed.

The launch was also carried live on RTM channel 2 and Astro Ria channel 4.

In addition, it was also webcast on MEASAT's website.

The Proton Breeze-M flight will last approximately nine hours 12 minutes after which the satellite and the launcher will separate, and the success of the launch will be known.

After separation, the satellite will be manoeuvred into its orbital location and will undergo in-orbit testing. This is expected to be completed by Feb 1, 2008.

When operationally deployed, the satellite will increase the capacity at MEASAT's key 91.5E orbital location by some 300 percent and at the same time extend the reach of the network over 100 countries, representing 70 percent of the world's population.

The project cost of the MEASAT-3 satellite is RM1 billion.

MEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communication services to Asia's leading broadcasters, DTH operators and telecommunication providers.

Currently operating two satellite networks, MEASAT provides video distribution services across east and south Asia, Indochina, south Asia and Australia. --BERNAMA
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