MUMBAI: Satellite operator Asiasat has signed a launch contract with Sea Launch for the launch of Asiasat 5 aboard a Zenith-3SLB rocket on the Land Launch system.

The launch will take place in the second half of 2008.

As had been reported earlier by indiantelevision.com, Asiasat 5 will be built on a SS/L’s 1300 series satellite platform and will carry 26 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders with an estimated operational life of 15 years. It will replace Asiasat 2.

AsiaSat 5’s C-band footprint will offer an extensive pan-Asian coverage and its high power Ku-band beams will focus on both East and South Asia, with a steerable beam that will cover anywhere within Asiasat 5’s geographic coverage.

Asiasat CEO Peter Jackson says, “We are pleased to have completed this major milestone in our procurement of Asiasat 5. The Land Launch Zenit-3SLB rocket is based on a mature, flight-proven design; it is a highly reliable launch vehicle that offers the schedule assurance that meets our requirements for a 2008 launch.”