Abu Dhabi, UAE, Yahsat, the UAE-based satellite operator, a wholly owned company of the Mubadala Development Company, announced today the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) of its latest satellite Al Yah 3.

Yahsat senior management joined the Yahsat team of engineers embedded at the Orbital ATK facilities, in Virginia, USA along with partners Orbital ATK for this critical moment that represented the final stage before assembling all components of the satellite together.

The CDR is conducted during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, and completion of this indicates that all specifications and requirements have been captured into the overall final design of the satellite.

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat said, “Today’s successful CDR makes it clear that we are on track for an on schedule launch. It also serves as a greater proof point of the continued success of our vision for Yahsat. Our third satellite will fuel growth in our business, and significantly expand our coverage area to be a truly global company; all this is in direct response to exceptional customer demand.”

Emirati engineer, Adnan Al Muhairi, Al Yah 3 Satellite Project Manager, said, “It’s a great day for all of us. It has been a tremendous learning experience for me being based at the manufacturing facility in the USA. Having the opportunity  to work hands on throughout this process, and to see how our hard work is paying off with the successful completion of this review just adds to my excitement about the upcoming launch. I am very proud to be contributing to the UAE’s next mission in to space.”

“The successful completion of the Al Yah 3 CDR is an important milestone for the program and for Orbital ATK’s GEOStar 3 platform which includes capabilities to support payload powers up to 7.5kW, advanced avionics and electric propulsion. We look forward to continue the close working relationship with Yahsat as we move on the manufacturing and test phase of the program.” said Al Lewis Vice President of Program Management for Orbital ATK’s Commercial Satellite Division.

Once the new satellite is operational, Yahsat’s Ka-band coverage footprint will be significantly expanded, bringing high-speed, affordable satellite broadband services to the Brazilian and African consumer and enterprise markets, as well as economic, high data-rate backhaul links for ISPs and telecommunications operators.

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC, “Yahsat”

Yahsat provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose satellite services including:

• YahClick - offers satellite internet for home and business
• YahService - offers managed solutions and government capacity
• YahLink - offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking and backhauling capacity
• Yahlive – a joint venture between Yahsat and SES, offers premium services to broadcasters and a select choice of TV channels

Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012. Yahsat has announced the manufacturing of its third satellite, Al Yah 3, planned for launch in Q4 2016, extending their commercial Ka-band coverage across additional markets in Africa, which will reach over 60%, as well as its first entry in to Brazil, where it will cover over 95% of the population.

About Orbital ATK

Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs more than 12,000 people in 20 states across the U.S. and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.