GMV will develop and implement the satellite control center for Measat-3b, including the satellite’s telemetry and telecommand system and ground equipment monitoring and control, based on its HiFly flight dynamics system and its FocusSuite product. GMV said the initial work began in January 2012, with on-site acceptance expected by the third quarter of 2013.

   Boeing Satellite Systems manufactured the current control centers for the Measat-3 satellite. Orbital Sciences built the ground control centers for the Measat-3a spacecraft. Both groups of facilities will be migrated from their current systems to GMV’s HiFly solution, providing Measat with a consolidated control center.

   GMV’s President of U.S. Operations Theresa Beech said GMV’s selection to undertake the project was driven by the company’s experience in supplying international satellite ground systems. “GMV is proud to offer exceptional technical competency that enables us to stand out from the competition for this project. We are pleased to bring our experience in successful communications satellite control center installation and operation around the globe to Measat,” Beech said in a statement.

   Astrium was contracted to build the Measat-3b based on the Eurostar E3000 platform last summer. The high-powered geostationary satellite is being designed to deliver Ku-band capacity for DTH and Broadband VSAT services across Malaysia, Indonesia and India. The new spacecraft will provide an additional 48 Ku-Band transponders to the 91.5 degrees East orbital location and operate in tandem with the Measat-3 and Measat-3a satellites. Arianespace was contracted to launch the satellite at the end of 2013. Measat-3b also will provide additional satellite capacity to support the expansion of Measat’s core DTH customers and provide in-orbit redundancy.

   In Februrary, Measat secured a long-term lease agreement from Australian telecommunications carrier NewSat for capacity on the Measat-3b satellite. NewSat said it would secure multiple Ku-band transponders on Measat-3b satellite and market the capacity under the Jabiru-2 satellite brand.

   Measat, however, signed its most significant Measat-3b capacity deal in May, when it reached a new agreement with Malaysian DTH operator Astro to lease 18 Ku-band transponders for the entire 15-year life cycle of the satellite.

   At the time of the deal, Measat CEO Paul Brown-Kenyon told Satellite News that the agreement with Astro was, “the biggest capacity deal that we had signed to date. The agreement showed the level of confidence that our partner, Astro, has in us.”

   The operator is one of the main providers of capacity to DTH players in Asia. Brown-Kenyon said capacity sales have been strong for the operator this year from both the DTH and the video distribution sector. “Fuelled by the strong economic growth in Asia, DTH operators and broadcasters in the region continue to look for capacity at the 91.5 degrees East orbital hot slot,” he said.

   Brown-Kenyon also added that DTH operators across Malaysia, India and Indonesia are seeking additional capacity to support growth in the number of channels they provide, as well as their growing amount of HD content. “Measat-3b, designed with a total of 48 Ku-band transponders, will be able to meet this growth,” he said. “With three satellites now operating at the same orbital location providing capacity across three DTH markets, the launch of Measat-3b will also allow Measat to support our customers with the most robust satellite constellation in the region.”

   The operator also announced plans earlier this summer to develop a new facility called the Measat Innovation Lab (MIL). Located at the Measat Teleport and Broadcast Center (MTBC) in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, the MIL has been designed to provide partners and customers with a comprehensive test bed to develop and validate products for Measat-5 and the other Measat satellites. Brown-Kenyon goes into more detail about why Measat is deciding to develop this facility. “The concept for the MIL came from customer discussions and, specifically, from their requests for a facility to allow them to test new satellite solutions,” he said. “In introducing the MIL, we are looking to extend our support of our customers, assisting them in optimize the use of our satellite network. The initial concept for the MIL was developed in 2011. After a decision to proceed with the test bed was made earlier this year, it took us three months to set up and commence operations at the facility.”

   The entire Measat program is expected to cost about $148 million. By more than doubling the operator’s Ku-band capacity at 91.5 degrees East, Measat-3b aims to allow Measat to meet increasing requirements of DTH and telecommunication customers in Malaysia and across the region.