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