Y1A first satellite in the region to operate Ka band frequency
Abu Dhabi, 01 March, 2011 - The launch of Y1A, Yahsat's first satellite, has been scheduled for Wednesday March 30th, 2011 around 3am UAE time. This will be the first of two planned Yahsat satellite launches for this year, with Y1B due to launch in Q4 2011.
Yahsat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi Government's strategic investment company. Yahsat has commissioned the launch of two satellites to create regionally focused capacity to manage the region's expanding requirements for government, commercial and consumer satellite communication services. Yahsat will support Abu Dhabi's ambition to become a hub for media broadcasting and telecommunications services by allowing clients from Europe and South Asia to connect with customers across the entire coverage area. Y1A will have a coverage footprint spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia.
Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat and Executive Director of Mubadala Information, Communications and Technology, said: "The launch of Yahsat's first satellite is a fantastic achievement and a moment of pride for all involved. By expanding our satellite communication capabilities, we are supporting the development of an advanced information and communications infrastructure that will drive economic diversification and social progress across the whole region."
Y1A, which has a projected product lifespan of more than 15 years, will deliver a range of Yahsat's commercial and government satellite service offerings. YahLive will provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) television capacity and services to more than two dozen countries across the coverage area. YahLink will support telecommunication services and communication links for applications such as corporate data networks, Internet trunking and GSM backhauling.
In addition to extending services to the civilian market, Abu Dhabi's first satellite will also provide the first secure Ka band communications capacity (YahSecure) within the coverage area, enabling state-of-the-art infrastructure for military communications. Beyond the UAE, YahSecure will enable Yahsat's service division, YahService, to provide support for governments in the areas of administration, defense and emergency management.
Yahsat has already identified a number of opportunities to provide services in commercial and military connectivity, including a 15-year agreement with the UAE Armed Forces to provide an integrated satellite communications network and control center.
Yahsat has partnered with a consortium composed of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to manufacture the Y1A multi-purpose satellite; and with Arianespace, the experienced international launch services provider, to project Y1A into orbit from its station in Kourou, French Guiana.
Control of the satellite will be managed by a team of trained UAE-national satellite controllers based out of the Yahsat control station in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi.
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About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat)
Yahsat, the United Arab Emirates-based satellite communications company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), provides multi-purpose satellite communications services to commercial and governmental clients in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South-West Asia. With a wide portfolio of voice, data, video and internet connectivity solutions, Yahsat satellites are designed based on market requirements and future applications. Yahsat is partnering with a consortium composed of EADS Astrium, Thales and Alenia Space to build a multi-purpose satellite communications system. The first satellite Y1A is currently being built and will be launched in the first quarter of 2011, and Y1B will follow in the second half of 2011.
www.yahsat.ae/
About Mubadala Development Company
Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a catalyst for the economic diversification of Abu Dhabi. Established and owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, the company's strategy is built on the management of partnerships and long-term, capital-intensive investments that deliver strong financial returns and tangible social benefits for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and contribute to the growth and diversification of its economy.
Mubadala brings together and manages a multi-billion dollar portfolio of local, regional, and international investments and partners with leading global organisations to operate businesses across a wide range of industry sectors including aerospace, energy, healthcare, industry, information communications and technology, infrastructure, real estate and hospitality. For more information about Mubadala please visit www.mubadala.ae
Harrison Rice
Account Manager
Edelman UAE
e: Harrison.Rice@Edelman.com
m: +971 50 661 8611
l: +971 24178527
f: +971 24178500
Press Release 2011
