GST FORUM: Abu Dhabi's Yahsat set for 2011 launch

Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat is preparing for the launch of its next-genration Yahsat 1A platform in early 2011. If successful Yahsat 1B would follow it in late 2011.
Time Aerospace thumbnail

 

 

Martin Gee, chief technical officer of Yahsat (pictured above), said that both were being produced by EADS Astrium and Thales and would be “heavy” geostationary satellites in the six-tonne range.

 

Yahsat 1A would offer a range of transponders, including Ku band support for up to 150 digital TV transmissions or up to 50 in high definition.

 

Gee said that there was a lot of interest in the region. “Many people now have high-definition TVs, but no signals that are compatible. Yahsat would solve that problem,” he said.

 

The satellite's C-band capability would provide up to 14 transponders covering Africa and the Middle East.

 

It could also offer Broadband internet access via its YahClick service which would be provided through a third-party supplier.

 

Yahsat is also talking to the UAE military about its potential Ka band military applications Gee said.

 

 

Related content