mu Space Corp, a Thailand-based company with plans to operate its own geostationary telecommunication satellites, has approved the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a manufacturer to build the company’s first satellite with coverage spanning across Asia-Pacific.
The RFP states that the he high throughput satellite will be on a geostationary orbit (GEO) located at 50.5-degree East. This orbital slot was secured in a recent agreement between mu Space and SES, in which SES gave the company spectrum rights for the location. This follows another announcement from mu Space, who announced that they had signed an agreement with SES and Hughes, in which mu Space will use capacity on SES-8 and SES-12, along with Hughes’ JUPITER System.
The satellite mu Space is commissioning will be expected to provide broadband and Internet of Things (IoT) service via satellite, and will have a lifespan of at least 15 years. mu Space hopes to provide connectivity to rural parts of Thailand and surrounding nations such as Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, which the company believe the 50.5-degree East orbital slot will allow it to do.
CEO and founder James Yenbamroong said, “I believe we will get the go-ahead soon as mu Space leads in the satellite and space industry in the region. Securing the 50.5 degree East orbital slot for Thailand is important not only to us, but also a top government priority as the validity of satellite network filings belonging to the Kingdom of Thailand at the 50.5 degree East orbital slot could be challenged if no immediate action is taken to continue to protect those rights.”
Samathorn Teankingkaeo, Chief Technical Officer of mu Space, said: “This RFP and the resulting contracts demonstrate mu Space’s capability to proceed with our plan of launching a satellite.”
“We’re searching a technology partner who is flexible and adaptable with our design ideas and long term business goals. We’ll look at all sorts of proposals from bidders, and we’ll consider everything to make sure we award this project to the right satellite manufacturer,” he added.
Although mu Space has only just released the RFP, the company has already secured a launch provider. At the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide last year, mu Space signed a deal with Blue Origin for launch on its upcoming New Glenn, becoming the first Asian company to contract Blue Origin for launch services.
