Boeing's handover of in-orbit MEASAT-3 satellite a success

The Boeing Company has announced the successful on-orbit handover of the MEASAT-3 satellite to MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd. Boeing said that the successful transfer of the Boeing 601 satellite to MEASAT follows on-orbit testing to ensure the spacecraft systems are functioning as designed.

"MEASAT-3 has completed all on-orbit testing, and we were pleased to hand over this satellite to an important customer," said Stephen T. O'Neill, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International.

MEASAT stands for Malaysia East Asia Satellite, and is the name of a line of Malaysian communications satellites owned and operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd.

MEASAT-3 is Boeing's 70th 601 model satellite built at its satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California. Boeing also manufactures the larger 702 model, the world's most powerful communications satellite. These two lines of satellites are designed to support mobile communications, and are part of a series of global positioning and military communications satellites manufactured by Boeing.

Launched on Dec.11, 2006 by an International Launch Services Proton/Breeze M rocket from Kazakhstan, MEASAT-3 will enable MEASAT to deliver direct-to-home television and other telecommunication services across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Eastern Africa and Eastern Europe.

As of 2006, the MEASAT satellite network consists of three geo-stationary satellites designed and built by Boeing Satellite Development Center (formerly Boeing Satellite Systems). MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 was launched in 1996 and MEASAT-3 in 2006.