Yahsat, the satellite company of Abu Dhabi state investor Mubadala, has selected SpaceX, Mr. Elon Musk’s space company, to launch its next-generation Thuraya mobile connectivity satellite, to expand Thuraya’s coverage across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite, being built by Airbus Defence and Space for UAE-based Yahsat, in the second half of 2023. The companies did not disclose the terms of the launch contract.
The Falcon 9 was selected primarily due to its high reliability and advanced capabilities, highlighting Yahsat’s continued commitment to maximizing quality and performance across its businesses.
SpaceX is a leader in the manufacture and launch of space technology and is consistently recognized for its ground-breaking innovation and relentless focus on simplicity and effectiveness. To date, SpaceX has successfully completed 128 launches.
Ali Al Hashemi Group CEO – Yahsat
“We are delighted to be launching Thuraya 4-NGS with SpaceX. With their capability and capacity for multi-launch sites, we are confident that they are the right provider for us. The agreement marks a significant milestone for Yahsat as we continue to develop our technology-enabled infrastructure to prepare for the next stage of our growth. The UAE has established its position as a competitive player in the space industry by collaborating with global leaders such as SpaceX. At Yahsat, we will continue forging partnerships with the world’s most innovative companies to enhance our competitiveness, deliver on our ambitious growth and expansion plans, and continue to create value for our customers, shareholders and the UAE.”
The Thuraya 4-NGS is anticipated to enhance Yahsat’s growth across new and existing product lines, with the new technology enabling the group to maintain its leading position as the global leader in the satellite communications industry by delivering higher capabilities and flexibility while increasing capacity and coverage across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, enabling next-generation connectivity solutions for all customer segments, including defense, government and enterprise.
“For the launch of its advanced technology, Yahsat sought a reliable and high-performance ride to orbit. We’re proud it has selected Falcon 9, one of the world’s most frequently flown launch vehicles, and we look forward to a successful mission,” said SpaceX Vice President of Commercial Sales Mr. Tom Ochinero.
