Successful launch for Eutelsat and Es’hailSat satellite

Eutelsat and Es’hailSat have successfully launched a joint satellite that is due to orbit at 25.5 degrees east, serving users across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

The jointly-owned Eutelsat 25B/Es’hail 1 satellite launched in Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket and is due to come into service at a 25.5 degrees east geostationary orbit at the end of October.

“Tonight’s launch is a milestone marking a three-year journey since Eutelsat sealed a strategic alliance with Es’hailSat, our Qatari partner, to pursue a ground-breaking joint satellite programme,” said Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen.

“We are now entering a new phase with the beginning of shared operations of a sophisticated and flexible communications satellite designed to deliver over 15 years of service to our two companies We look forward to serving customers with the first-class resources this new satellite will provide and to further anchoring our commitment to markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.”

Es’hailSat CEO Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari added: “The Es’hailSat programme plays an important strategic role as Qatar works to meet the rapidly growing communications needs in the region. With the arrival of Es’hail 1, we have completed the first step in our mission to become a centre of excellence in the region and develop a sustainable national satellite industry.”

Eutelsat 25B/Es’hail 1 is designed to serve broadcasters, businesses and public agencies in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia via capacity on the Ku and Ka-bands. . It will replace the Eutelsat 25C satellite at 25.5 degrees east and will provide better geographic coverage and increased capacity.