Asia's leading satellite operator, MEASAT Global (MEASAT), has chosen Arianespace to launch the MEASAT-3b satellite.

MEASAT-3b will be boosted into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, during the fourth quarter of 2013.

MEASAT-3b, being built by Astrium using a Eurostar E3000 platform, has been designed to provide 48 Ku-band transponders to support direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast services for Malaysia, India and Indonesia.

Positioned at 91.5 degrees East, MEASAT-3b will be co-located with the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites to enhance Asia's key DTH neighborhood. The satellite will weigh approximately 5,800 kg at launch, and offers a design life of approximately 15 years.

MEASAT-3b is the third MEASAT satellite launched by Arianespace, following the launch of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 in 1996. It also marks the tenth launch contract signed by Arianespace in 2011.

Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen by MEASAT to launch their new satellite. Arianespace is particularly proud of this opportunity to serve a major Asian operator and we would like to thank MEASAT for placing their trust in us. This latest contract provides further recognition of the outstanding quality and competitiveness of our launch services."

"MEASAT continues to invest in our satellite network to ensure it is able to meet the future needs of our DTH partners across our core Asian markets," said Datuk Umar bin Haji Abu, Chairman, MEASAT Global Bhd.

"Given the importance of the MEASAT-3b satellite, we are delighted to entrust its launch to Arianespace with their unrivalled track record."