Arianespace has been chosen to launch the Yahsat 1A communications satellite built by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space for operator Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJsc (Yahsat) of the United Arab Emirates.
During the official visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the United Arab Emirates, Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat, and Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace signed yesterday in Abu Dhabi the launch agreement for the Yahsat 1A communications satellite.
Yahsat 1A is scheduled for an Ariane 5 launch into geostationary transfer orbit in 2010 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Yahsat 1A will provide services for both government and commercial customers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia. Offering broadband terrestrial coverage, Yahsat 1A will be positioned at 52.5 degrees East. It will provide innovative solutions for Internet links via satellite, business data networks and television transmission services, in particular for high-definition television (HDTV). Yahsat 1A offers a design life of approximately 15 years.
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its customers for more than 25 years. Backed by 23 shareholders, and by the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of excellence. Arianespace has launched 254 satellites since being founded, including more than 60% of the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. Today, the company has a steady order backlog of more than 20 Ariane 5 missions and nearly 10 Soyuz flights, which represents more than three years of launch activity. www.arianespace.com
Aaron Lewis
Director of Media and Government Relations
Arianespace, Inc.
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Washington D.C. 20005
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