Thaicom-8 launch confirmed, ready for Ultra-HD
April 30, 2014
By Chris Forrester
Thaicom’s CEO Suphajee Suthumpun says her company’s Thaicom-8 satellite will launch 1H/2016 in order to further expand Thailand’s broadcasting industry, and will be placed at the company’s ‘hot spot’ orbital position at 78.5 deg East (along with Thaicom-5 and 6). “The satellite will also allow us to meet the Ultra-HD demands for Thailand and the international market expected in the future,” said Suthumpun.
Thaicom-7 is due to be launched this summer by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Russian-controlled Baikonur launch facility, subject to the necessary launch/export permits being issued. Thaicom-8 is being built by Washington, DC-based Orbital Sciences Corp, and launched by SpaceX of California.
Thaicom-8 will have 24 Ku-band transponders and cover Thailand, South Asia and parts of Africa.