KPL
(KPL) Lao Sat-1, the first telecommunications satellite of the Lao PDR entered the 128.5 degrees East orbital slot Saturday morning, 21 Nov following an official launch in the presence of Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit and senior officials of Laos and China Sichuan, China.
The launching ceremony of the LaoSat-1 is a special gift from China to the Lao PDR in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on 2 December.
Lao Sat 1 launch in Sichuan, China (photo: APMT)
By Singkham
(KPL) Lao Sat-1, the first telecommunications satellite of the Lao PDR entered the 128.5 degrees East orbital slot Saturday morning, 21 Nov following an official launch in the presence of Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit and senior officials of Laos and China Sichuan, China.
The launching ceremony of the LaoSat-1 is a special gift from China to the Lao PDR in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on 2 December.
All systems of the Lao Sat-1 will be controlled by the Lao Satellite Station in Hadxayfong, Vientiane Capital, which is staffed with 50 Lao nationals, and Chinese experts.
Lao Sat 1 launch (photo by New China)
The project is considered a landmark in the Lao history, aiming to spur many facets of development and industry.
“The Lao Sat-1 will be very beneficial to our country because the majority of our country is mountainous. Our satellite will be used for many purposes, including distance education and medicine, telecommunications and internet links, as well as facilitating anti disaster efforts,” Minister of Post and Telecommunications Hiem Phommachanh told media three days before the launch of Lao Sat 1.
“The satellite will last only 15 years, so during this period we will make all efforts to use raised incomes to spur many facets of development and industry in the country,” Mr Hiem said.
The minister said the Lao Sat-1 will covers 15 countries, which means Laos can rend some of its transmission space to foreign countries because demand in Laos is small.
The satellite, which is owned by the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company, comprises 22 transponders, of which two will be used for communications services in the country and the remainder will be available for rent to overseas companies.
Shareholders of the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company are the Lao government holding a 45% stake, China Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co., Ltd sharing 35%, Space Star Technology Co. Ltd 15%, and Asia-Pacific Satellite Technology 5%.
The US$258-million project is financed by China.
The satellite project was initiated in 2006. In May 2008, the government of Laos submitted a document to book and use orbital position of 128.5 degrees East slot.
One year later, the Lao Science and Technology Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co., Ltd to borrow a loan to fund the project development.
In 2012, the Lao government signed a US$258 million loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China.
On 30 October, the Lao government and three Chinese developers signed a joint venture agreement establishing the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company.
KPL
