Malaysian satellite operator MEASAT said on Thursday it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with aspiring Chinese LEO satellite operator Shanghai SpaceSail Technologies to offer multi-orbit services to MEASAT’s customers.
Under the MoU, MEASAT intends to integrate SpaceSail’s “Thousand Sails” LEO constellation into its geostationary offerings. This will enable MEASAT to offer LEO broadband satellite connectivity, as well as other services supported by SpaceSail satellites, including direct-to-device (D2D) communications, satellite-based IoT and earth observation services.
The two companies will also collaborate on a joint rain fade study on Q/V-band high frequency transmission.
MEASAT’s COO Yau Chyong Lim said the company sees a multi-orbit strategy as essential to further bridging the digital divide and overcoming geographical challenges that the company covers.
“We look forward to realising this multi-orbit potential – from expanding the reach of established use-cases like satellite broadband in remote areas to advancing cutting- edge satellite solutions such as D2D connectivity and satellite-based IoT,” he said in a statement.
The MoU is also the latest overseas partnership established by SpaceSail, following its MoU with Brazil’s state-owned operator Telebras in November 2024 to provide satellite communications and broadband internet services in Brazil.
That deal was signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Brasilia. Similarly, SpaceSail’s tie-up with MEASAT is being positioned in a diplomatic context as well as a business deal.
Commenting on the MoU, Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil highlighted the “cordial friendship” between China and Malaysia over the last 50 years, and said “there are abundant opportunities for deeper collaboration, especially in harnessing advanced technologies to enhance people’s lives.”
SpaceSail president Dr Jason Zheng added that he looked forward to “achieving technological progress by tapping on MEASAT’s local expertise while strengthening bilateral ties – including in upcoming fields like the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial network communications.”
SpaceSail is one of several recent ventures to emerge from China with the aim of entering the LEO satellite space and taking on companies like Starlink. SpaceSail currently has 72 satellites in orbit out of a planned constellation of over 15,000 LEO satellites by 2030.
SpaceSail is also not the first Chinese LEO satellite firm to make a deal in Malaysia. In September 2024, Geespace – a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group – signed a deal with Malaysian telecoms service provider Altel Communications to establish an R&D centre to develop use cases for D2D satellite communications technology.
