The
satellite is currently being manufactured by the consortium of EADS
Astrium and Thales Alenia Space. The expected launch date is second
half 2010. The letter of intent was signed between the CEO of
Arianespace, Jean-Yves Le Gall, and coincides with the State visit of
French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
According
to the letter of intent, the Yahsat 1A satellite for a geostationary
transfer orbit (GTO) will be launched in the second half of 2010, from
the Guiana Space Centre (Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana)
by an Ariane 5 launcher.
“Since
inception in January 2007, the Yahsat project has made excellent
progress. The manufacturing of Yahsat1A is well under way ,” said
Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat. “ Arianespace has launched more
than 250 other satellites so we are confident that we have chosen a
world-class partner to help support our mission, which will put Abu
Dhabi on the map in the satellite communications industry,” he added.
Yahsat 1A will provide services for both government and commercial
customers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia.
Once
in orbit, Yahsat 1A will provide innovative solutions for internet
links via satellite, business data networks and television transmission
services, in particular for high-definition television (HDTV).
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