Measat Delays Measat-3a Launch

[Satellite News 08-11-08] The launch of the Measat-3a satellite, scheduled for Aug. 21 aboard a Land Launch rocket, has been delayed due to a technical issue with the spacecraft, Measat Satellite Systems announced Aug. 10.
    The issue is being assessed by Orbital Sciences, the satellite’s manufacturer, with preparations under way for the satellite to be shipped from Baikonur Cosmodrome back to Orbital’s facility in Dulles, Va., for repair. Measat did not indicate when a new launch date might be set.
    "While unfortunate, our technical team is working closely with Orbital Sciences, Intelsat Corporation (the launch services provider) and Sea Launch (Intelsat’s subcontractor) to ascertain the most prudent approach to repair the spacecraft and prepare it for a revised launch date, which will be announced in due course,” Paul Brown-Kenyon, COO of Measat, said in a statement. 
    Measat-3a, with 12 C-band and 12 Ku-Band transponders, has been designed to support the expansion of Measat’s direct-to-home broadcasting and telecoms businesses.