Thaicom 8 set for launch by end of May

Thaicom 8 is scheduled for launch into orbit at 78.5° East on 27 May by SpaceX, to provide broadcasting and data services across South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa.



Thaicom8 Orbitals Dulles FacilityThe 3,100kg communications satellite, built by Orbital ATK, will be launched by a Falcon 9 v1.2 vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Confirming the news, Thai Information and Communications Minister Uttama Savanayana also said that Thaicom has agreed to retroactively pay a ministry fee for reserving orbital slots for its Thaicom 7 and 8 satellites, as they do not operate under a ministry concession, reports The Nation.

Currently, only the Thaicom 4 (also known as iPSTAR), Thaicom 5 and Thaicom 6 satellites operate under the ministry’s concession, while Thaicom 7 and the planned Thaicom 8 and 9 satellites operate under the same single licence as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

Thailand’s National Space Affairs Committee is in the process of developing the national space policy, and regulations governing this fee are expected soon.

This year Thaicom’s concession fee amounts to 20.5% of its gross revenue. From 2017 until 2021, when the concession expires, the satellite operator will be required to pay a higher fee or 22.5% of its gross revenue.