Australian satellite operator NewSat has secured another contract, this time worth $US180 million, for capacity on its yet-to-be-launched Jabiru -1 satellite.

MEASAT Satellite Systems has booked capacity for 15 years across multiple transponders covering South Asia and South East Asia.

The Jabiru-1 is a large Ka-band next generation satellite, which will provide coverage over South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. It is slated to be launched in 2014 MEASAT has capacity across five communication satellites, providing satellite communication services to the region’s international broadcasters, DTH platforms and telecom operators. The capacity leased on Jabiru‐1 will provide back‐up Services to its well established customer base.

“We are very pleased to be working with MEASAT in bringing this strategic capability to Asia to assist their customers with expansion and protection of their existing services,” said NewSat founder and CEO, Adrian Ballintine.

NewSat has now attracted cornerstone contracts totalling $US526 million to underpin the export credit agency-backed debt financing, to build and launch the satellite. ®