THAICOM 8 launched in Cape Canaveral

The 3.2-tonne communications satellite THAICOM 8 launched at 4.39 am Thailand time on May 28 2016, using a Falcon 9 rocket by Space X.

THAICOM 8 was built by Orbital ATK Inc., and will strengthen Thaicom’s broadcast platform at 78.5 degrees East – providing South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa with broadcast and data services.

The total cost of the satellite is $178.5 million US dollars (approximately 6.4 billion Thai Baht).

– TN

Photos courtesy of SpaceX

Falcon 9 vertical with THAICOM 8 satellite at Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, FL. Image: SpaceX.

Falcon 9 vertical with THAICOM 8 satellite at Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, FL. Image: SpaceX.

Falcon 9 vertical with THAICOM 8 launch in Cape Canaveral, FL. Image: SpaceX.

THAICOM 8 satellite launch, Cape Canaveral, FL. Image: SpaceX.

Thaicom 8 launch in Cape Canaveral. Image: SpaceX.

Thaicom 8 before launch in Cape Canaveral. Image: SpaceX.

TN

Thailand News delivers the latest updates and in-depth coverage on all things Thailand. We offer a wide array of topics, including breaking news, politics, tourism, business, culture, lifestyle, and entertainment.

Get breaking news and the latest news headlines from Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Isan, the insurgency-plagued South and Asia.

See author's posts