Kuala Lumpur – MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd is expecting to launch its next satellite, MEASAT-3a in Q3, 2008. Renamed from MEASAT-1R, MEASAT-3a, currently being constructed by Orbital Sciences Inc, is being planned to launch on a LandLaunch Zenith–3SL launch vehicle. To be co-located with MEASAT-3 at the 91.5°E orbital slot, MEASAT-3a will provide 12 high-powered C-band transponders to provide coverage across a region bounded by Africa and Eastern Europe in the West, to Japan and Australia in the East; and, 12 high-powered Ku-Band transponders for DTH customers in Malaysia and Indonesia. Paul Brown-Kenyon, chief operating officer, MEASAT, said, “The renaming of MEASAT-1R to MEASAT-3a better reflects the satellite’s mission to provide expansion capacity, and in-orbit redundancy, for customers utilizing the MEASAT-3 satellite. With key capacity on the MEASAT-3 satellite already fully utilized, and a strong pipeline of customer awaiting capacity on MEASAT-3a, we are very pleased to have a confirmed launch slot for the new satellite earlier than originally expected.” Separately, MEASAT and The SPACECONNECTION, Inc. have partnered to execute a joint marketing agreement for occasional use services on the MEASAT-3 satellite. Under the agreement, SPACECONNECTION will market the MEASAT-3 satellite to its North American client base for occasional use and special event services across Asia. Capacity on the MEASAT-3 satellite, launched in Q4 2006, is expected to increase from Q3 2008 with the launch of MEASAT-3a into the same orbital location.