Alcatel Alenia Space's Thaicom 5 satellite has arrived at its launch site in Kourou, the company said Monday. The launch, aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket and paired with the Satmex 6 telecom satellite, is slated for May 26.
Thaicom 5 is the second satellite built by Alcatel Alenia Space for Thailand. The first was Thaicom 3.
The company built Thaicom 5 for Thai satellite operator Shin Satellite Inc. Positioned at 78.5 degrees East, Thaicom 5 will provide broadband telecom and broadcast transmission services. It will enable Shin Satellite to replace its Thaicom 1 and 2 satellites – which will be reaching the end of their operational lives in 2008 and 2009, respectively – while increasing Ku-band transmission capacity for Thailand and neighboring countries.
Thaicom 5 is based on the AAS Spacebus platform, which has logged extensive experience in orbit. It will weigh about 2,800 kilograms (6,175 pounds) at launch, offering total power of 5 kilowatts, with 14 Ku-band channels and 24 K-band channels.
Alcatel Alenia Space also is prime contractor for 10 communications and Earth observation satellites to be launched during this year. Along with Thaicom 5, the company has built or is building Hot BirdTM7A, CALIPSO, Syracuse 3B, Koreasat 5, Rascom, Galaxy 17, Corot, Giove B and StarOne C1.
Seven other satellites are carrying payloads made by AAS, including Arabsat 4A and 4B, SarLupe, IASI, MTSAT 2, XM4 and Goce.
