Es’hail 1 Satellite Arrives at Launch Site in French Guiana

Qatar’s first satellite on track for launch on August 29th

Doha, 29th July, 2013 – Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, today announced the arrival of the Es’hail 1 satellite at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana in preparation for an August 29th launch.

Es’hail 1, Qatar’s first satellite, is now undergoing final preparations at the European Spaceport for a launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. Lift-off is planned on August 29th during a launch window opening at 11:30PM and closing at 12.20AM Doha time.

Built by Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, Es’hail 1 is designed to provide television broadcasting, telecommunications and government services in the Middle East and North Africa. Broadcasting from the premium hot spot neighborhood of 25.5 degrees East and addressing the growing demand for HDTV, Es’hailSat will provide much needed additional capacity for TV channels. Viewers will be able to receive richer, more diversified content without installing a new dish.

Weighing almost 6 tons, Es’hail 1 has four steerable spot beam antennas and four deployable reflectors along with advanced command and telemetry capabilities. It is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 platform and provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The spacecraft is designed to operate in orbit for 15 years or more.

Commenting on the forthcoming launch, Es’hailSat’s CEO, Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, said “Es’hail is the name of a star which becomes visible in the night sky in this part of the world around the end of August. Traditionally, the sighting of Es’hail marks the beginning of most enjoyable weather conditions in the region and we are eagerly awaiting the launch of Es’hail 1 – our new star over Qatar”.

For more information on the Es’hail 1 launch on Ariane Flight VA215, please go to www.arianespace.com