Orbital Sciences’ Dulles Facility. Photo: Orbital Sciences

[Via Satellite 05-21-2014] Thaicom authorized Orbital Sciences to begin production and integration testing for the Thaicom 8 commercial satellite, the second satellite Orbital will build for the company. The first satellite, Thaicom 6, was launched and completed in-orbit testing in January 2014.

Thaicom 8 will use Orbital’s GeoStar product line and will be manufactured in Orbital’s satellite facility in Dulles, Va.  The satellite payload features 24 Ku-band transponders to support services to Thailand, South Asia and Africa. It will generate approximately 5 kilowatts of payload power and is scheduled for completion and launch in the first half of 2016. The GeoStar satellite platform design is augmented for satellite missions that require up to 8 kilowatts of power and can be built and delivered in 24 months or less.

“[Orbital’s] GeoStar platform is an ideal match for our requirements in terms of performance, price and schedule, and will help us strengthen our market in Thailand and expand our services in South Asia and Africa,” said Pramook Chaiwongwutthikul, SVP of satellite engineering and operation at Thaicom.