Arianespace signs deal to launch Telkom-1 satellite<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The European space launcher Arianespace,
\nyesterday signed a deal with state owned PT Telekomunikasi
\nIndonesia (Telkom) to launch the Telkom-1 satellite.<\/p>\n
Arianespace's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles
\nBigot said the satellite would be launched from the European
\nSpaceport in French Guiana by early 1999.<\/p>\n
The new satellite, constructed by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin
\nCommunications Inc., will weigh nearly 2,500 kilograms at lift
\noff, and will be equipped with 32-C band transponders.<\/p>\n
\"It will enable PT Telkom to offer voice and data services for
\nover 15 years,\" Bigot said.<\/p>\n
Telkom-1 will be the third Indonesian satellite launched by
\nArianespace, after the Palapa C2 satellite last May and Indostar
\nwhich is due for lift off in July or August this year.<\/p>\n
Bigot refused to reveal the value of the latest contract, but
\nestimated that all three contracts in Indonesia had amounted to
\nover US$200 million.<\/p>\n
Industry sources have estimated the total cost of launching
\nTelkom-1 at up to US$140 million.<\/p>\n
\"The choice of Arianespace by one of Asia's leading nations
\nstrengthens our position in South East Asia,\" Bigot said.<\/p>\n
The company has signed 30 satellite launching contracts in
\nAsia and Australia since 1983, he said, adding that Asia
\nrepresents about 30 percent of his company's business.<\/p>\n
He said the satellite system could be applied to many fields
\nincluding direct television, mobile phones and multi-media
\nsystems.<\/p>\n
Bigot said his company planned to increase its service by 50
\npercent to launch more Indonesian satellites.<\/p>\n
\"We will try to increase our customers in the country by
\naiming to launch at least one satellite a year,\" he said.<\/p>\n
After the year 2000, the company may launch more than one
\nIndonesian satellite per year he said.<\/p>\n
Telkom's new satellite would replace the Palapa B12 which is
\nscheduled to end its service life in 1999.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, which launched satellites as early as 1976, has
\nfour Palapa models in orbit.<\/p>\n
The satellites include three B generation and two C series
\nmodels, the latter operated by Satelindo, with 30 percent shares
\nowned by PT Telkom.<\/p>\n
During yesterday's contract signing ceremony, both PT Telkom
\nand Arianespace agreed to cooperate in rocket technology
\ntraining.<\/p>\n
Bigot said Arianespace would cooperate with European
\nuniversities and space companies to provide technical,legal and
\nbusiness training 10 Telkom staff in the space industry, he said.<\/p>\n
The Telkom-1 contract is the 170th contract signed by
\nArianespace since its establishment in 1980.<\/p>\n
The company's orderbook now stands at 40 satellites worth
\napproximately US$3.1 billion, he said. (das)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/arianespace-signs-deal-to-launch-telkom-1-satellite-1447893297",
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