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Thaicom

Thailand inaugurated its first national GEO communications network during 1993-1994 with the launches of Thaicom 1 (18 December 1993) and Thaicom 2 (8 October 1994) by Ariane boosters. The spacecraft, based on Hughes HS-376L series, are operated by the Shinawatra Satellite Company of Bangkok under a lease arrangement with the Thai government. Both Thaicom satellites are stationed at 78.5 degrees E with ten C-band and two Ku-band transponders. The 630-kg spacecraft have a design life of at least 13 years. However, in late 1994 Thailand was nearing selection of a foreign vendor to provide a Thaicom 3 satellite with up to 24 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders for launch as early as 1996 (References 399-403).

399. I. Parker, "Thailand Looks To Orbit", Space, July-August 1993, pp. 9-10.

400. P. Seitz, "Thaicom-1 To Bring Capacity to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam", Space News, 13-19 December 1993, p.20.

401. P. Seitz, "Thailand Sees Shinawatra as Entree Into Diverse Markets", Space News, 4-10 April 1994, p. 22.

402. "Shinawatra Sells Out Thaicom C-Band Space", Space News, 3-9 April 1995, p. 2.

403. "Aerospatiale to Build Thaicom 3", Space, January-February 1995, p. 28.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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