SpaceX to launch Yahsat’s Al Yah 4 and 5 satellites

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE-based satellite solutions provider, has chosen SpaceX to launch its new geostationary satellites Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5) using SpaceX’s flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket.

This agreement is a critical part of the AY4 and AY5 procurement programme, with total costs expected to reach approximately Dhs3.9bn ($1.1bn).

This budget covers spacecraft, ground segment infrastructure, launch and insurance.

The announcement follows Yahsat’s contract with Airbus to design and build AY4 and AY5 based on the Eurostar Neo platform.

This is part of a Dhs18.7bn ($5.1bn) mandate awarded to Yahsat by the UAE government in Q3 2023, which includes providing satellite communications capacity and managed services for 17 years, primarily utilising AY4 and AY5.

Ali Al Hashemi, group CEO of Yahsat, stated, “We are proud to collaborate with SpaceX on the upcoming Falcon 9 launches of our Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites.

“With the successful completion of the launch contracts with SpaceX and the recently announced design and manufacturing contract with Airbus, Yahsat is well-positioned to pursue the final contract with the UAE government, the anchor customer of the Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 programme, as part of its largest-ever mandate from the UAE government.”

Yahsat to replace current satellites

The AY4 and AY5 satellites will deliver secure governmental communications across a wide geographical area, including the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

These satellites are expected to eventually replace the older Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

In recent news, Bayanat AI, an AI-powered geospatial solutions provider, and the satcom giant approved the proposed merger of the two Abu Dhabi-headquartered entities. The merger created SPACE42, a global AI-powered space technology company.

Read: SPACE42: Bayanat, Yahsat shareholders green-light merger