Arianespace announced Sept. 6 it signed an agreement with Shin Satellite Plc to launch the Thaicom 5 satellite. Thaicom 5 will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from Arianespace’s launch site in Kourou, French Guiana in 2006.

Thaicom 5, built by Alcatel Alenia Space, will weigh about 2,800 kilograms and will carry 24 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders. It will provide telecom and television services throughout the Asia Pacific Region from its orbital slot at 78.5 degrees East. Its capacity will eventually be used to replace Thaicom-1 (launched in December 1993) and Thaicom 2 (launched in October 1994).

The contract announcement comes four weeks after Arianespace launched the Thaicom-4 (commonly referred to as IPStar) satellite.