Posted: Thu, Dec 4, 2008, 6:57 AM ET (1157 GMT)
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Melco) announced its first commercial satellite order for a customer outside Japan on Tuesday. Melco will build the ST-2 satellite for a joint venture of Singapore-based SingTel and Taiwan-based Chunghwa Telecom Company. The spacecraft will be based on Melco's DS2000 satellite bus, which has previously been sold to Japanese government and commercial customers. ST-2 is scheduled for launch in late 2010 or early 2011 and will replace an existing spacecraft, ST-1, that currently operates at 88 degrees east in GEO. SingTel said the satellite contract was valued at S$200 million (US$130 million).

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Melco press release
•  SingTel press release