The VINASAT-2 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) of Vietnam, is now ready for service following successful on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems.

"VINASAT-2 will join VINASAT-1 to form a satellite network, helping to improve the business capabilities, safety and reliability of the Vietnam telecommunications network as well as support and back up the terrestrial transmission infrastructure," said Vu Tuan Hung, VNPT's President and CEO.

"This will promote the satellite industry of Vietnam, bringing common values to the community and enabling the long-term development and business plan of VNPT in the area of satellite communications. It also helps satisfy the needs of the dynamic economy of Vietnam and help integrate Vietnam into the world and regional community in all areas of life."

VINASAT-2 is based on Lockheed Martin's highly reliable A2100 platform and will provide fixed satellite services to Vietnam and neighboring countries. The satellite features 24 Ku-band channels providing uplink and downlink coverage, and will be located at 131.8 degrees east longitude. VINASAT-2 has a 15-year design life on orbit, with additional fuel reserves to maximize maneuver life.

Lockheed Martin's low-risk solution utilized heritage Ku-band flight-proven equipment from numerous previous A2100 programs to meet VNPT's schedule requirements.

VINASAT-2 is the second satellite Lockheed Martin has produced for VNPT and the 101st commercial geostationary satellite that Lockheed Martin has delivered to customers world-wide. Lockheed Martin successfully delivered VINASAT-1, the first satellite ever for the nation of Vietnam, in 2008.

"VINASAT-2 is the result of Lockheed Martin and VNPT's commitment to excellence, mission success and teamwork," said Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems President Joseph Rickers.

"From contract award in May 2010, Lockheed Martin and VNPT worked together seamlessly to ensure an efficient on-time delivery of VINASAT-2, a highly reliable and capable satellite that will serve its users for many years to come."

Lockheed Martin's first commercial geostationary satellite, SATCOM 1, was launched in December, 1975. Since then, Lockheed Martin commercial geostationary satellites have provided customers with more than 1,000 years of operational service.