Qatar to Launch First Satellite in 2013

Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has selected Arianespace — world's first commercial space transportation company — to launch its first satellite Es’hail 1 in the second quarter of 2013 on board an Ariane 5 launcher. The announcement was made at the Satellite 2012 show in Washington DC on March 12, 2012.

During 2010 Es’hailSat contracted with Space Systems/Loral to build Es’hail 1 which will share a spacecraft platform with the European satellite operator Eutelsat. Es’hail 1 will provide television, Internet, corporate and government services in expanding markets across the Middle East, North Africa and beyond.

The selection of Arianespace to deliver Es’hail 1 into orbit marks a further step forward in Es’hailSat program to invest in and operate a high-performance satellite at 25.5° East, a well-established orbital position for television broadcast services. The new satellite will provide further Ku-band resources for television broadcasting and will also mark the start of Ka-band services, opening-up new business opportunities for Es’hailSat and their customers.

The six-tonne satellite will be launched from Arianespace’s space port in Kourou, French Guyana, on the east coast of South America.