Yahsat, the Abu Dhabi-based satellite communications company, has announced plans to launch two new satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, in 2027 and 2028 respectively. These satellites aim to provide secure governmental communications across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. With a design life of 15 years, these satellites will replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2 that were launched in 2011 and 2012. The CEO of Yahsat group, Ali Al Hashemi, highlighted the importance of these new satellites in enhancing the company’s capabilities in space-based communications.
The new satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, will be crucial in providing advanced satellite communication solutions to the UAE government. European aerospace corporation Airbus will be responsible for designing and building these satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform. The satellites will feature flexible payloads that can be reconfigured in orbit to adjust coverage area, capacity, and frequency based on evolving mission requirements. These advanced features will enable Yahsat to meet the growing demands for satellite communication services.
The total procurement cost for Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 is estimated to reach Dh3.9 billion, including the satellites, ground infrastructure, launch, and insurance. Yahsat plans to initially fund the program using its own resources before receiving a Dh3.7 billion advance payment from the UAE government. Additionally, Airbus is also working on developing Thuraya 4 satellite (“T4”) for Yahsat’s government and commercial satellite solutions. T4, based on the Eurostar Neo platform, is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2024 and enter service in the second half of 2025.
The AY4 and AY5 satellites are expected to play a critical role in enhancing Yahsat’s satellite communication capabilities and providing secure governmental communications across multiple regions. With advanced features such as flexible multi-band payloads, these satellites will be able to adapt to changing mission requirements while in orbit. The partnership with Airbus and the utilization of the Eurostar Neo platform demonstrate Yahsat’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology to meet the growing demands for satellite communication services.
The advanced design and capabilities of Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 highlight the commitment of Yahsat to providing innovative satellite communication solutions to its customers. The flexibility of these satellites to reconfigure their payloads in orbit will allow Yahsat to optimize coverage area, capacity, and frequency based on specific mission requirements. With a focus on providing secure governmental communications, these satellites will play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for reliable and secure satellite communication services in the target regions.
The collaboration with Airbus in designing and building the AY4 and AY5 satellites underlines Yahsat’s commitment to ensuring the highest quality and reliability of its satellite communication services. The investment in advanced technology and innovative features will position Yahsat as a key player in the satellite communication industry, meeting the evolving needs of its customers across various sectors. The launch of these new satellites is expected to further strengthen Yahsat’s position in the market and enhance its reputation as a leading provider of satellite communication solutions in the region and beyond.
