[10-05-07 – Satellite Today]  Boeing has shipped the third Thuraya communications satellite to the Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., the company announced Oct. 4.

Thuraya 3 is the most recent spacecraft built for Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. The satellite will serve businesses in key markets such as China, Australia, Japan and Korea. It will provide advanced telecoms services to these customers. The satellite will be launched in November.

Thuraya 1 and 2 began commercial operations in 2001 and 2003, respectively. Together, these satellites provide mobile communications services to more than 2.3 billion people.