S'pore plans to launch own satellites by 1999

S'pore plans to launch own satellites by 1999

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Singapore, in a bid to catch up with its
Southeast Asian neighbors, has asked the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) to reserve six satellite slots in
space, a Singapore newspaper said yesterday.

The Sunday Times, quoting Telecommunications Authority of
Singapore (TAS) officials, said Singapore hopes to launch its
first communication satellites by 1999.

"We are confident that Singapore will join the rank of
satellite owners in the not too distant future," TAS director Lim
Choon Sai was quoted as telling the newspaper, adding that
several parties were studying the feasibility of operating the
satellites.

Three other southeast Asian countries are also setting up
geostationary satellite networks. Topping the list is Thailand
with 12 satellites applied for and either launched or in the
various stages of the approval process.

Indonesia has 11 and Malaysia two slots applied for, some of
which are already in use.

Singapore has applied for three orbital slots, known as a
geostationary orbits, 22,235 miles (35,576 km) above the Equator,
the newspaper reported.

Another slot is over Singapore and the remaining two over the
Indian Ocean. The slot above the Equator is considered an ideal
spot to park a satellite.

The planned satellites will have channels which can redirect
television shows, telephone and telegraphic and other
communications to vast areas over Asia, the newspaper said.

"Though there is very little domestic need for satellite
communications in Singapore, we do require good and efficient
telecommunications with other countries because of our extensive
trade activities," Lim said.

According to the newspaper, ITU records showed 894
geostationary satellites have been activated, were about to be
activated or were in the process of getting permission to be sent
up.

But ITU officials were quoted by the newspaper as saying not
everyone who wants to place a satellite in geostationary orbit
can be accommodated because of the danger of collisions and
frequency interference.