Asiasat issued a request for proposal for Asiasat 5, a next-generation communications satellite designed to offer improved power and coverage across Asia.

Asiasat 5 is intended to replace the Asiasat 2 spacecraft, which was launched in 1995 and is expected to reach the end of its expected lifetime at the end of 2010. Asiasat 2 serves many regional and international broadcasters, wholesale news agencies, video service providers, teleport service providers for video and news distribution and contribution services, as well as governments and corporations for VSAT network services, Asiasat said.

“Planning the replacement for Asiasat 2 well ahead of the satellite’s projected retirement schedule will ensure our ability to continue to provide services to customers at that location,” Asiasat CEO Peter Jackson said in a statement. “It will also give us a chance to launch another replacement if that proved necessary before Asiasat 2’s retirement.”