Shin Satellite Plc of Thailand has awarded its contract to Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for the design and construction of iPSTAR-1. The contract includes training and support services, as well as an option for a second satellite. IPSTAR-1, a Ka/Ku 1300S hybrid craft, is scheduled to be in service in early 2003 from 120 degrees East. The mission is to deliver what the company describes as direct-to-desktop, last-mile services, including new multimedia and data services to customers in Asia, India, and Australia. Shin Sat currently operates three satellites, Thaicom 1A, Thaicom 2, and Thaicom 3.