* Astronomy

Space Systems/Loral, a provider of commercial satellites, and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), an Asian satellite operator, today announced the signing of two construction agreements for two communications satellites, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8.
The contracts include AsiaSat 6 with a C-band payload and AsiaSat 8, with both Ku-band and Ka-band. The two satellites will serve Asia, the Middle East and Australasia and are designed on the decade's proven SS/L 1300 satellite platform which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellites are planned to be launched by early 2014.
AsiaSat 6 will have 28 high-power C-band transponders while AsiaSat 8 will have 24 Ku-band transponders and a Ka-band beam. The high-power transponders on the satellite will enable the use of small antennas on the ground.

"AsiaSat and Space Systems/Loral both share a commitment to excellent performance and the highest quality service. We delivered AsiaSat 5 in 2009 and AsiaSat 7 was shipped one month ahead of schedule and is currently at launch base in preparation for launch on November 26. I can think of no better endorsement of our success than a repeat order from a satisfied customer" - John Celli, President of Space Systems/Loral.

AsiaSat, a regional satellite operator in Asia , serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its three satellites, AsiaSat 3S at 105.5ºE, AsiaSat 4 at 122ºE and AsiaSat 5 at 100.5ºE.

Source Loral Space