UAE?s satellite operator Yahsat has entered into partnership with Orbital Science Corporation to manufacture the Al Yah 3 satellite
Yahsat will also liaise with French commercial satellite company Arianespace, which will help launch the satellite into orbit from French Guiana, stated officials from the company. This would be Yahsat?s third satellite, which is scheduled to be launched in Q4 2016. It would extend the company?s Ka-band coverage to an additional 17 countries and 600mn users in Africa and Brazil.
Jassem Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chairman of board of directors at Yahsat, said, ?After a rigorous selection process of over two years that included majority of Yahsat international engineers, Yahsat has chosen two industry-leading organisations that will manufacture and launch our third satellite in late 2016.
?Having worked with Arianespace for the launch of Y1A and with Orbital's impressive track record of building over 150 satellites, both companies have proven their ability to meet and exceed our expectations for world-class connectivity in Africa and Brazil.?
Officials from Yahsat added that the company is keen to explore partnerships in Africa and Brazil, in order to achieve a ?360-degree? service platform for broadband connectivity.
