Arianespace will launch the Al Yah 3 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) in the fourth quarter of 2016, using an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
After Yahsat Y1A launched in April 2011, Al Yah 3 will be the second satellite entrusted to Arianespace by Yahsat.
Al Yah 3 will be built by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, and will weigh about 3,500 kg at launch. Operating solely in the Ka-band, Al Yah 3 will provide broadband Internet services at affordable prices to nearly 600 million users in Brazil and Africa. It offers a design life of 15 years.
Al Yah 3 will be the 28th satellite built by Orbital to be launched by Arianespace.
Yahsat is a private joint stock company that is fully owned by Mubadala, the investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Mubadala’s commercial strategy is fundamentally built on long-term, capital-intensive investments that deliver strong financial returns.
Since its incorporation in 2007, Yahsat has implemented extensive research and interaction with customers to design the region’s first multi-purpose satellite system consisting of two satellites and related ground infrastructure.
Yahsat’s first-hand understanding of the specific market requirements in the region has enabled it to develop customized satellite solutions for the government as well as the commercial sector in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Central and South West Asia.
Arianespace is the world’s leading satellite launch company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, the company offers an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence.
As of September 9, 2014, 218 Ariane launches, 35 Soyuz launches (9 at the Guiana Space Centre and 26 at Baikonur with Starsem) and three Vega launches have been performed. The company’s headquarters is in Evry, near Paris, and has local offices in Washington DC (United States), Tokyo (Japan) and Singapore. (File Photo)
