Manila eyes 2nd satellite

Manila eyes 2nd satellite

MANILA (AFP): A Philippine-led consortium said yesterday it would launch two communications satellites within the next 18 months with the first one due in orbit within 10 days.

Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corp., led by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. said that with the Aug. 10 launch of Agila II, the Philippines would have the region's "biggest and most powerful satellite."

Consortium president Cesar Reyes said Agila II would cost about $243 million.

Agila III would cost about the same, he said, adding that it had not yet been decided how the satellite would be configured or where it would be launched.

Agila II, also known as Mabuhay, will cover the Asia-Pacific rim including the Philippines, eastern China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Indochina, Japan, Korea, India, Bangladesh and Hawaii.

It is to be launched from China and will serve to transmit both telecommunications, data and broadcasting.