Abu Dhabi to launch second satellite soon

Abu Dhabi is preparing to launch its second satellite into orbit within a couple of months, according to a senior official of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, or Yahsat Yahsat, which is fully-owned by Mubadala, in April last year sent its first satellite into space. “Yahsat is the region’s first hybrid military and commercial satellite firm, which spent US$1 billion to on its space programme, comprising two satellites which have civilian as well military usage. Manufactured by Eads Astrium and Thales Alenia, Y1A sent on April 22 last year offers secure services for the government and military institutions,” chief commercial officer Shawkat Ahmed said in a presentation.

The second satellite, Y1B, will offer services to military and commercial consumers. The satellite will make available high-speed, cost-effective Internet using commercial Ka multi-spot beam technology, Ahmed said while speaking at Milsatcom Middle East in Abu Dhabi. Y1A offers 100 per cent coverage over the entire Middle East and Africa region, providing connectivity for point-to-point networks, multiple point networks, apart from services.

Y1B will provide cost effective high-speed Internet services to consumers in the 25 countries of the Middle East, Africa and South West Asia. Dubai also has its own satellite in orbit. Meanwhile, the conference was told that the global government and military communications market is projected to be worth US$9 billion by 2018. The Middle East will be a key growth region for the commercial satellite industry. Gordon McMillan, director of government services at Inmarsat, said that the increasing adoption of commercial satellite communication systems by government and military users, coupled with exponential demand for greater bandwidth, presents excellent opportunities for commercial satellite providers. “As military budgets come under increasing pressure, the commercial satellite industry fulfils an increasingly greater proportion of the communications needs of government and military customers.” – Khaleej Times