Thailand’s mu Space Corp confirmed on 12 March, 2018, at the Satellite 2018 conference that they will launch a geostationary satellite aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn orbital rocket. The launch window starts in late 2020.
Commenting on the announcement, mu Space founder and Chief Executive Officer James Yenbamroong said, “mu Space is opening a new era for satellite communications and space technology for Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.”
In 2016, Blue Origin publicly announced the plan to build New Glenn, its orbital launch vehicle that will carry people and payloads to low-Earth orbit destinations and beyond. Named after the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, John Glenn, the launch vehicle is designed to be reusable which enables lower cost access to space for Blue Origin’s customers.
“We are excited to launch mu Space’s first satellite. They will be our first GTO (geostationary transfer orbit) satellite aboard New Glenn,” said Bob Smith, Blue Origin’s Chief Executive Officer.
“mu Space shares Blue Origin’s vision of opening up space access for all and improve quality of life on Earth,” James Yenbamroong said. “To do that, we have to go beyond Earth’s gravity towards the next frontier that humanity dreamed of — a purposeful mission that will change our lives.”
mu Space is working to support the growing demand for smart homes and smart cars, and development of smart cities in the Asia-Pacific region, and plans to scale-up globally. The company aims to use space technology to accelerate the development and adoption of useful smart applications.
