BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan, 19 April 2012. Y1B, the second satellite of the United Arab Emirates’ space communications program prepared for launch on a Proton launcher from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.

Composed of two satellites and a ground segment, the Yahsat project is a commercial and military satellite communications system built by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) for the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat). Based in the UAE, Yahsat is a satellite communications operator in the Middle East, Africa, South West Asia and Europe. The Yahsat system will offer commercial solutions, including HDTV broadcasting, internet trunking via satellite, corporate data networks, and internet services for public and private users, as well as secure communications.

Astrium is responsible for the final integration of the two satellites and for delivery in orbit. Thales Alenia Space provided the payloads and is responsible for the space segment, including the launch of the satellites.

Astrium Services, with its partner Thales Alenia Space, is responsible for the ground segment, which consists of a network of ground terminals, and for a management system which provides remote control of all system hardware.

Astrium Services, in association with Thales Communication and Security, is also in charge of operating this system, providing ground segment maintenance and of training Emirati operators over a five-year period.

Y1B will deliver communications in Ka-band for both commercial and governmental users. It will provide internet services for public and private users in the Middle East, Africa and South West Asia with Ka-band multi spot-beam technology, achieving bandwidth supply through 61 narrow spot beams. The governmental mission will bring an increase in the total capacity available for the UAE secure communications over the Middle East, complementing the Y1A satellite.