Ibadan, 10 June 2024. – Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat), the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider has contracted Airbus Defence and Space for its new geostationary telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (“AY4”) and Al Yah 5 (“AY5”). The new satellites will eventually replace Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively, based on a previous version of the Airbus-built Eurostar platform
The significant step follows the signing of an Authorisation-to-Proceed with Airbus in Q2 2023 to commence initial activities concerning the AY4 and AY5 satellite programs. Airbus will consequently design and build the AY4 and AY5 satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform, with each having flexible payloads and benefitting from the strong heritage of the Eurostar family. Furthermore, the flexible multi-band payloads are fully reconfigurable while in orbit, capable of adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency “on the fly” to meet evolving mission scenarios.
Both AY4 and AY5 satellites will offer secure governmental communications over a wide geographical area across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. Additionally, the two new LEO satellite platforms will support Yahsat’s future direction of providing multi-orbit satellite solutions to its customers. Airbus will design and manufacture both AY4 and AY5 satellites and will also provide ground control segment components. Both spacecraft will have a design life of 15 years and will tentatively launch in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “Today marks a real milestone with Yahsat selecting our pioneering fully flexible satellite technology. Sixteen years ago, we signed our first contract with Yahsat, bringing the first sovereign telecommunications satellite to the UAE. And now, our long-standing relationship is moving up a gear with this contract for two Eurostar Neos, further strengthening Yahsat’s in-orbit resources.”
