Thailand’s satellite operator Thaicom has selected Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, to provide satellite ground system support for its Thaicom 8 satellite.

Under the contract, Kratos Integral Systems International (ISI) will build a satellite control centre (SCC) and a tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) station.

Kratos ISI senior vice-president James Kramer said: "We are very honoured by the trust Thaicom has shown in the quality of our products and services, as well as our ability to provide the end-to-end satellite ground system that will help ensure safe and efficient operations of the Thaicom 8 satellite."

The company will develop a satellite control system based on its EPOCH command and control and OASYS flight dynamics solutions.

"The company will develop a satellite control system based on its EPOCH command and control and OASYS flight dynamics solutions."

EPOCH IPS integrated product suite is a satellite fleet management system, which is designed to control multiple satellites from a single consolidated system.

The EPOCH IPS solution is said to provide Thaicom a control platform that can support future satellite fleet expansion.

Provided by the Kratos ISI UK team, the TT&C station will be the primary TT&C earth station for Thaicom 8.

It will include an 11m C-Band turning head antenna with a monopulse tracking system and redundant RF system.

Planned for launch in first half of 2016, Thaicom 8 will be equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders.

Built by Orbital ATK on its GeoStar2 platform, the satellite will serve Thailand, South Asia and Africa to meet the needs for increased Ku-band capacity.

In a separate statement, Kratos ISI said that it is providing command and control for two micro-satellites, Hodoyoshi-3 and Hodoyoshi-4, which were launched in June 2014.