Al Yah 3 puts the UAE’s space plans in new orbit

Abu Dhabi - The launch vehicle lifted from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana carrying Al Yah 3 and European satellite SES-14.

Al Yah 3, the UAE’s third communication satellite developed by Mubadala-owned Yahsat, was successfully launched on Friday despite initial fears of losing contact with the rocket.
The Ariane 5 rocket blasted off from French Guiana on January 25, Thursday 7.20pm (UAE time 2.20am).

The launch vehicle lifted  from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana carrying Al Yah 3 and European satellite SES-14.
Read more: UAE's Al Yah 3 satellite blasts off to serve millions of poor
Twenty minutes after the launch, European space agency Arianespace’s CEO Stephane Israel announced the team had lost contact with the rocket.
“We have had an anomaly on this launch. Indeed, we lost contact with the launcher a few seconds after ignition of the upper stage,” he said.
Later Arianespace released a statement saying “both satellites were confirmed separated, acquired and they are on orbit. SES-14 and Al Yah 3 are communicating with their respective control centers. Both missions are continuing.”
Built by orbital ATK Using its new GEOStar-3 hybrid platform, the Al Yah 3 satellite is operated by Yahsat. Once placed in its orbit, the satellite is expected to provide affordable broadband communications to 60 per cent of Africa’s population and more than 95 per cent of Brazil’s population.
Weighing in at approximately 4000kg Yahsat’s Al Yah 3 was built by a team, including emirati scientists, who have been based at Orbital ATK’s satellite manufacturing facility in Virginia, US.
Al Yah 3 is Yasat’s third satellite. It has already launched two communication satellites — Al Yah 1 in 2011 and Al Yah 2 in 2012.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

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