Asiasat signs two satellites to Falcon 9 launches

On 8 February, Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) announced that it had signed an agreement for the launch of Asiasat 6 and Asiasat 8 on two separate Falcon 9 launches. Both launches are due to take place from SpaceX’s launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, USA, during the first half of 2014. Asiasat 6 will have 28 high-powered C-band transponders while Asiasat 8 will have 24 Ku-band transponders and a Ka-band beam. The high-powered transponders on the satellite will enable the use of small antennas on the ground. The two SS/L 1300 satellites will serve Asia, the Middle East and Australasia