Kuala Lumpur – MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT) has successfully launched the AZERSPACE-1 / AFRICASAT-1a satellite. The satellite was launched on an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle from the European Space Port in Kourou, French Guiana, on February 8 at 5.36am Malaysian time.

The launch was witnessed via live telecast at the All Asia Broadcast Centre, Bukit Jalil by H.E. Mr. Tahir Karimov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Malaysia; YBhg. Datuk Che Azemi bin Haron, Deputy Secretary General (Communications), Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture; and, by industry representatives.

The US$300 million AZERSPACE-1 / AFRICASAT-1a satellite was developed as the result of collaboration between MEASAT and Azercosmos Joint Stock Company (Azercosmos), a company set up by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The advanced satellite was jointly specified by Azeri and Malaysian engineers to provide high powered satellite communications services across Central Asia, Europe, and Africa. The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, based on its flight-proven Star-2 platform.

“The commissioning of the AFRICASAT-1a satellite into commercial operations will expand MEASAT’s coverage into new markets across Africa and the Middle East in support of Malaysian government and business interests,” said Paul Brown-Kenyon, MEASAT’s Chief Executive Officer.