Es’hailSat’s second satellite on route to 26°E orbital slot was positioned after successful launch on board Falcon 9 rocket
Es’hailSat announced the successful launch of Es’hail-2 satellite on board a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. Lift-off of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Es’hail-2 satellite took place at 23:46 Doha time. Es’hail-2 satellite separated from the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at 00:18 Doha time on 16 November and the solar panels were fully deployed about 2 hours after liftoff. The spacecraft is currently in its transfer orbit, and Es’hailSat expects to bring the satellite in to commercial service at 26°E orbital position by January 2019, upon completion of in Orbit Tests.
Ali Al Kuwari, President and CEO of Es’hailSat, said: “I want to dedicate the successful launch of our second satellite to the Emir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the Government and people of Qatar. These are exciting times for Es’hailSat and Qatar. Es’hail-2 is the first fully operated satellite for Qatar and is a symbol of Qatar’s commitment to free – secure – and independent communication.”
Built by Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO), based on their DS 2000 satellite bus, Es’hail-2 has a proven, modular platform with high power capability and flexibility for a broad range of applications. In addition to offering Ku-band capacity to support the growing 25.5⁰E / 26.0°E broadcast neighborhood, Es’hail-2 also features multi-transponder Ka-band capacity with sophisticated anti-jamming capabilities providing business and government sectors with secure communications across the MENA region. The spacecraft has a design life in excess of 16 years.
Earlier, Es’hail-2 satellite arrived safely at the SpaceX launch facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA in preparation for the launch on 15 November 2018. The satellite undergoe final preparation at the SpaceX launch facility for launch on board a Falcon 9 rocket.
Built by Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO), based on their DS 2000 satellite bus, Es’hail-2 has a proven, modular platform with high power capability and flexibility for a broad range of applications. In addition to offering Ku-band capacity to support the growing 25.5⁰E / 26.0°E broadcast neighborhood, Es’hail-2 also features multi-transponder Ka-band capacity with sophisticated anti-jamming capabilities providing business and government sectors with secure communications across the MENA region. The spacecraft has a design life in excess of 16 years.
Ali Al Kuwari, President and CEO of Es’hailSat, said: “We are very excited about the upcoming launch of Es’hail-2, the second in our planned fleet of satellites. Launching rockets in to space is an inherently risky business, but working with the extremely competent people at SpaceX, we are optimistic about the chances of a successful launch.”