In August 2007, the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi government’s strategic investment and development vehicle Mubadala Development Company, awarded a contract to a joint Astrium–Thales Alenia Space team to provide a dual (military and commercial) satellite communications system.
The YahSat system comprises two large satellites, YahSat 1A and YahSat 1B, to be delivered in orbit, and the associated ground infrastructure. Both YahSat 1A and YahSat 1B are Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 spacecraft with a launch mass of 6,000 kg and an electrical power of 15 kW. They will be launched in 2010 and 2011 and operate for a minimum of 15 years. The system will include a large number of ground terminals, either fixed or mobile, transportable, ship borne and manpacks.
Astrium and Thales Alenia Space are jointly responsible for the overall system. Astrium, the leading partner, is the prime contractor for the ground segment, in charge of the overall system and network management, and will supply the spacecraft platforms and integrate the satellites. Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for the space segment. The ground terminals will be provided by Astrium and Thales.
YahSat will provide customers with innovative solutions for broadcasting services, internet trunking via satellite, corporate data networks and backhauling services to telecom operators. The YahSat satellites will fulfil the satellite communication requirements of both government and commercial customers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South West Asia.
