AfriStar-1 Satellite to Be Sold

Silkwave Africa wants to buy the AfriStar-1 satellite from satellite operator Yazmi and also take over geostationary satellite authorization for AfriStar-2, said an FCC International Bureau filing Tuesday by Yazmi. The satellite provides broadcast satellite services over Africa and the Middle East and parts of Asia and Europe, and prospective owner Silkwave intends to continue and expand operations of the AfriStar satellite system. Silkwave is owned by CEO Chau-Chi Wong of Hong Kong, who's the sole member of Chi Capital, a Cayman Islands company, said Yazmi. Yazmi bought the satellites in 2010 as part of original owner WorldSpace's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it said, saying it and Silkwave in September signed an asset purchase agreement for the AfriStar-1 satellite and related regulatory authorizations.