MEASAT-3b, MEASAT 6th satellite launched to earth orbit

A handout picture released by the French space agency CNES on 11 September 2014 shows the heavy lift Ariane Five rocket in position for launch, a dual passenger-mission for Asia-Pacific telecommunications operators MEASAT and Optus, at the Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, 10 September 2014. Ariane 5 – with its MEASAT-3b and Optus 10 payload – was transferred on a mobile launch table from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building to the dedicated ELA-3 launch complex in French Guiana. On this mission, the 75th launch of Ariane 5 to date, the upper passenger MEASAT-3b will be deployed first in the flight sequence nearly 27 minutes after liftoff, with the separation of Optus 10 from the vehicle’s lower position occurring some seven-and-a-half minutes later. Total payload performance for Flight VA218 is estimated at nearly 10,090 kg, which includes approximately 9,160 kg for MEASAT-3b and Optus 10 combined, plus Ariane 5’s SYLDA dispenser system and satellite integration hardware. EPA/CNES / P PIRON
A handout picture released by the French space agency CNES on 11 September 2014 shows the heavy lift Ariane Five rocket in position for launch, a dual passenger-mission for Asia-Pacific telecommunications operators MEASAT and Optus, at the Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, 10 September 2014. Ariane 5 – with its MEASAT-3b and Optus 10 payload – was transferred on a mobile launch table from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building to the dedicated ELA-3 launch complex in French Guiana. On this mission, the 75th launch of Ariane 5 to date, the upper passenger MEASAT-3b will be deployed first in the flight sequence nearly 27 minutes after liftoff, with the separation of Optus 10 from the vehicle’s lower position occurring some seven-and-a-half minutes later. Total payload performance for Flight VA218 is estimated at nearly 10,090 kg, which includes approximately 9,160 kg for MEASAT-3b and Optus 10 combined, plus Ariane 5’s SYLDA dispenser system and satellite integration hardware. EPA/CNES / P PIRON
By Khaidir A Majid - September 12, 2014 @ 9:40am

KOUROU: French Guiana: MEASAT Global Bhd successfully launched into the earth orbit its latest satellite MEASAT-3b - the sixth in its fleet - at the European Space Port in Kouru, French Guiana today.

The successful launch of the satellite marked a milestone for the Malaysian company as it looks to become the world's leading emerging market satellite operator.

The launch was witnessed by a group of key MEASAT business partners, government officials and four Malaysian secondary students from Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mahmud Shah in Terengganu who had won a competition organised by the satellite operator.

The launch occured at 6:05pm Thursday Kourou time (7:05am Malaysian time), about a half an hour delay from the original scheduled time of 6:21 pm local time( 5:21am Malaysian time)

Deputy Minister of Communication and Multimedia Datuk Jailani Johari who witnessed the event said the launch was not only an achievement for MEASAT but also would benefit Malaysia's ICT infrastructure and its space industry.

"We trust that MEASAT will continue to push the boundaries of both business and technology," said Jailani.

MEASAT Global's chairman Datuk Umar Abu said Measat-3b which WAS built by Airbus Defence and Space is the company's largest and most advance satellite to date.

The satellite was lifted off by Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle. It separated from the launch vehilce 27 minutes after lift off.

Over the next few days, MEASAT-3b will be raised from a geo-transfer orbit into a geostationary orbit at 91.5 East, a slot which is owned by MEASAT.

The satellite will then undergo testing for the next one month and brought into commercial operations on October 15.

The latest satelite will be located in the same neighborhood of 91.5 East with MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a to form one of the regions's most powerful and robust orbital locations.