Two more Asian satellites have slipped the surly bonds of Earth, with Arianespace announcing the launch of the MEASAT-3b and the Optus 10.
The two satellites were launched on an Ariane 5 rocket overnight from the Guiana Space Center French Guiana.
Malaysian operator's MEASAT's new MEASAT-3b will offer communications and direct TV broadcast services for Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia.
MEASAT-3b is the largest satellite ever built for MEASAT's fleet, coming fitted with 48 Ku-band, 4 X-band and 1 S-band transponder. It has a design life of 15 years.
The Optus 10 will provide direct TV broadcast, internet, telephony and data transmission services for Australia, New Zealand and the Antarctic region.
SingTel subsidiary Optus' newest satellite has 24 Ku-band transponders and will also have a design life of 15 years.
It has been a busy few days for Asian satellite launches. Last week, SpaceX carried both the AsiaSat 6 and the THAICOM-7 into orbit on its Falcon 9 rocket.