Measat to Launch Fourth Satellite

[BGonaSTICK]

Malaysia’s lone satellite operator, Measat Global Bhd, is set to launch its fourth satellite, Measat-1R, in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Measat-1R was originally expected to launch at the end of 2007 or early 2008, but was delayed due to a shortage of hardware components on the manufacturer's side, the company said. The manufacturer is a US-based company, Orbital Sciences Corporation.

Measat-1R is a back-up satellite in case of a failure by Measat-3, and will provide additional satellite capacity. Measat-1R will also replace the company's first satellite, Measat-1, which reaches its end-of-life at the end of this year,

The successful launch of Measat-3 on December 12, 2006 and company plans to accommodate its customers' existing and immediate growth requirements on Measat-3 means that the new launch date matches better Measat’s expected need for the capacity, according to the company.

As at end-March, the company had leased 33 percent capacity on Measat-3 and has secured customer commitments for an additional 25 percent over the next two to four years. Measat, which has some 40 customers, said it's working closely with existing customers in Malaysia and across South East Asia, and is also in discussions with key customers in the South Asian and African markets.

The company warned its bottom line would be impacted negatively during the new satellite's first quarter of operation. Measat Global's net profit last year rose 306 per cent to $17 million. In the first quarter of this year, however, net profit fell to $1.3 million compared to $4.5 million in the same period a year earlier.