Shin sat passes critical tests

Ipstar-1 -- the satellite that will inherit the responsibility for providing Project Probe's national satellite broadband system -- has passed a critical phase in testing, Shin Satellite said.

The satellite is the largest commercial satellite ever built.

According to Thailand-based Shin, which owns the satellite, SS/Loral, the US manufacturer, said Ipstar1 had successfully completed critical thermal vacuum testing and was on track for delivery later this year.

Shin said the satellite was placed in a chamber where it was subject to intense heat and cold while in a vacuum, much as it will eventually experience in its geostationary orbit 35,000 kilometers above the earth. Successful testing has now significantly decreased many major risks associated with the construction of a satellite of this magnitude, Shin said.

In the next and final series of tests, SS/Loral will attach the antennas and solar arrays to the satellite, as they will be on take-off, and then subject the assembly to vibration and acoustic simulations replicating the forces it will experience at launch.

This will confirm the integrity of the whole satellite.

The craft will then undergo testing of its ability to send and receive signals, called a Compact Antenna Range Test (CATR), followed by an electrical test of the other electronics onboard.

The reflectors, solar arrays and batteries will then be permanently attached ready for launch.

The satellite should be ready for delivery to the company before the end of 2004, Shin said, and it will take two to three months more for the satellite to be installed in the launch vehicle, tested then launched from Arianespace’s spaceport at French Guiana, South America.

"To safeguard shareholders and lenders, we have always insisted on full and comprehensive testing. A satellite cannot be recalled for adjustments once it has been launched, and we have been determined to ensure the project’s success by rigorous testing and re-testing," said Shin Satellite executive chairman, Dr. Dumrong Kasemset.

Ipstar-1 is a project of the Ipstar Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Shin Satellite Plc, which is listed on the Thailand stock exchange.

The satellite will deliver broadband connectivity -- including the ability to watch television and films over the internet -- to customers in the Asia Pacific market. Where conventional satellites provide around 2Gbps of bandwidth, Ipstar-1 will provide an aggregate capacitiy of around 40Gbps.

Shin Satellite operates three Thaicom satellites.

--Agencies 2004-08-19

hi,

I heard Shin Corp. will launch hi speed internet with 2 Mbps speed cost lower than 500฿ per month. (True Corp. u have to pay 1500฿ per month with that speed) and unlimited. wow!!! They said it's include set-top-box for TV. connection which can serve video on demand & video conference.