MEASAT Satellite Systems: A Comprehensive Overview

MEASAT Satellite Systems is a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region, providing a wide range of services including TV broadcasting, radio broadcasting, and telecommunications.

MEASAT's first satellite, MEASAT 1, was launched in 1996 and was designed to provide direct-to-home (DTH) TV broadcasting services to Malaysia and the surrounding region.

MEASAT's satellite fleet now consists of six geostationary satellites, with a total of 21 transponders, offering a combined capacity of over 1,500 MHz.

MEASAT's satellites are designed to provide high-quality video and audio services to a wide range of customers, including TV broadcasters, radio stations, and telecommunications companies.

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In 1993, Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, called for the end of the Malaysian government's monopoly on communications services. He believed that the creation of privately owned companies could better serve Malaysia's communications needs in the decades ahead.

The Malaysia Plan resulted in the creation of the Binariang Sdn. Bhd. company by Malaysian tycoon Ananda Krishnan, which was given the charter to develop Malaysia's first satellite communications system.

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The Binariang company signed a contract with Hughes Space and Communications Company for two Model 376 satellites, which were later named the "Malaysia East Asia Satellite" program, or "MEASAT" for short.

The MEASAT satellites opened the door to reliable telephone and data transmission services to all of Malaysia, helping to strengthen the unity between the peninsula and the island portions of the nation.

Since the launch of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 in 1996, the company has expanded its fleet to six geostationary satellites designed and built by various companies, including Boeing Satellite Systems, Orbital Sciences Corporation, and Airbus Defence and Space.

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MEASAT-1, also known as AFRICASAT-1, was launched in January 1996 from Centre Spatial Guyanais at Kourou in French Guiana.

The satellite was located in a geostationary orbit at 91.5 degrees East, providing service to South East Asia, northern Australia, and Guam.

MEASAT-1 was equipped with five high-power transponders in Ku band and 12 transponders in C band, using 112-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers and 12-watt solid-state amplifiers respectively.

Here's a comparison of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2:

The MEASAT satellites have a rich history, and understanding their features and capabilities is essential for anyone interested in satellite technology. MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 were launched in 1996 on Ariane rockets from Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana.

These satellites were designed to provide communication services to various regions, including South East Asia, northern Australia, and Guam. MEASAT-1 was located in a geostationary orbit at 91.5 degrees East, while MEASAT-2 was located at 148 degrees East.

MEASAT-1 had five high-power transponders in Ku band for direct-to-user service, powered by 112-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers. It also had 12 transponders in C band for regional service to Malaysia, using 12-watt solid-state amplifiers.

MEASAT-2 had 11 active transponders in Ku band, with eight using 95-watt traveling-wave amplifiers and three using 62 watts. It also had six active transponders in C band, powered by 12-watt solid-state amplifiers.

The MEASAT satellites were designed to have a design lifetime of 12 years. MEASAT-1 was still functioning reliably beyond its planned 12-year life in 2009, and it was relocated to a new orbital location to provide service to the African continent.

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Here's a comparison of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2:

The MEASAT-3b satellite was designed to serve more than 15 years, with a launch weight of 5,992kg and an electrical power of 16kW. It was launched on September 12, 2014, from Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana.

The MEASAT-3b satellite was launched aboard the Ariane 5 ECA rocket, VA218 designated flight.

The Ariane 5 ECA rocket was manufactured by the European Space Agency (ESA). Arianespace was awarded the contract to provide the launch service operations for the satellite in December 2011.

The MEASAT-3b satellite was launched along with the Optus 10 satellite, which was built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for Australia's SingTel Optus.

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MEASAT-3b was constructed by Airbus Defence and Space and launched on 12 September 2014 from Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana.

It was designed to serve more than 15 years, with a launch weight of 5,992kg and an electrical power of 16kW.

The satellite was manufactured under a contract awarded in June 2011 to Astrium, now known as Airbus Defence and Space.

Here's a summary of MEASAT-3b's key specifications:

The MEASAT-3b satellite is equipped with 48 Ku-band transponders, which are used for expanding video and data services across Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Australia.

The MEASAT fleet has been strengthened with the addition of the MEASAT-3b satellite, enhancing support to Asia's premium direct-to-home (DTH) and video distribution neighbourhood.

GMV was awarded a contract to provide the satellite control centre for the new MEASAT-3b satellite, as well as the existing MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites in July 2012.

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The MEASAT-3b satellite has 48 Ku-band transponders that are used for expanding video and data services across Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Australia.

These transponders play a crucial role in enhancing the support to Asia's premium direct-to-home (DTH) and video distribution neighbourhood.

The MEASAT-3b satellite is a significant addition to the MEASAT fleet, providing a boost to the satellite's overall capabilities.

This satellite is designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality video and data services in the region.

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GMV was awarded a contract to provide the satellite control centre for the new MEASAT-3b satellite, as well as the existing MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites in July 2012.

The scope of the contract included a unified control centre with GMV’s hifly software and real-time system solutions.

The unified control centre was designed to integrate the control centres of the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites, which were respectively manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems and Orbital Sciences Corporation.

GMV's hifly software played a crucial role in the unified control centre, providing a seamless integration of the different systems and ensuring efficient control of the satellites.

The migration of the control centres was successfully completed, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient control process for the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites.

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