Blue Origin satellite launch service signs up first Asian customer

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, has signed a deal with Thai mobile and satellite provider Mu Space Corp as its first Asia Pacific launch partner.

The future launch of Mu Space's geostationary satellite was announced by Blue Origin president Robert Meyerson at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide. “We look forward to launching mu Space on New Glenn to serve the people of Thailand and to be a part of expanding mu Space’s imprint on the Asia Pacific region,” Meyerson said. He also used his IAC presentation in Adelaide to provide an update on the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle, which was first announced in September last year. The rocket is intended to carry both payloads and people into space in future and is reusable to allow for lower cost access to space.

 MU SPACE PLANS: Mu Space CEO James Yenbamroong said the company plans to launch its own geostationary orbit satellite in 2021. However, he also told CommsDay that the firm plans to be a disruptor in Asia Pacific telecommunications by providing lower cost capacity to the region's carriers.

 Mu Space already has its own satellite filings and is initially looking at Thailand and neighbouring countries to offer services. “Space is going through change and we'll be a disruptor but still find a way to work with partners throughout the region,” he said on a visit to IAC in Adelaide. Yenbamroong said he had also been in discussions with some Australian carriers and has not ruled out doing business in the ANZ region. Commenting on the partnership with Blue Origin, he said he was impressed with the company’s vision and engineering approach.

“Mu Space also shares Blue Origin’s vision of developing space technologies that will accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies,” he added. Blue Origin has previously announced other launch agreements  however the deal with mu Space is the first time it has partnered with an Asian launch customer. Geoff Long, Commsday
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