[Satellite TODAY 06-14-11] Orbital Sciences and SpaceX were contracted by Thaicom to build and launch the Thaicom 6 communications satellite, the operator announced June 13.

Orbital will build Thaicom based on its GeoStar-2 satellite platform. The satellite’s payload will include hybrid Ku- and C-band transponders to provide service to the South and Southeast Asia and Southern Africa regions. Thaicom 6 will be designed, manufactured and tested at Orbital’s satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Va.

        “Orbital is a leading manufacturer of smaller-size satellites, which matched our requirements in terms of performance, price and schedule. Orbital’s GeoStar satellite platform will help Thaicom expand its satellite fleet in the Asian region,” Thaicom CEO Arak Chonlatanon said in a statement.

        SpaceX will launch Thaicom 6 on a Falcon 9 rocked from Cape Canaveral in the second quarter of 2013. The satellite will be placed in the 78.5 degrees East orbital slot. The satellite is SpaceX’s eighth foreign customer to sign up for a flight aboard the Falcon 9.

        Financial details of the contracts were not disclosed.