AsiaSat is the latest satellite operator to join the Space Data Association (SDA), an international non-profit association of satellite operators.
Formed in 2009, the SDA supports the controlled, reliable and efficient sharing of data that is critical to the safety and integrity of satellite operations. The SDA membership includes the world’s major satellite communications companies.
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) has been Asia’s premier satellite operator since it was established in 1988. It currently operates seven satellites, including AsiaSat 3S, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and AsiaSat 9, being AsiaSat’s most powerful satellite launched to further serve the Asia-Pacific market with enhanced power and efficiency.
The SDA champions critical data sharing in the satellite industry through its Space Data Centre (SDC) to provide member operators with a higher level of safety and integrity in satellite operations. With AsiaSat joining, SDA’s participants now account for 278 GEO satellites (52% of all active GEO satellites), and 447 LEO and MEO spacecraft.
Pascal Wauthier, Chairman, Space Data Association, commented: “We are pleased to welcome AsiaSat as a member. Space is a shared environment and we all have a responsibility to ensure it is kept safe. Working together and sharing operational data to improve safety of flight is one of the best ways to achieve this mission. The more operators involved, the more accurate that data can become.”
Fred Ho, Vice President, Technical Operations, AsiaSat, added: “We fully support the mission of the SDA to improve space situational awareness and safety of flight for all space operators. By pooling our orbit information and control centre contact details, we are taking an increasingly active role to contribute our efforts in keeping space safe for the sustainable operation of the satellite communications industry.”
