ILS to Launch Yahsat Satellite on Proton

(Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 30, 2008) -- International Launch Services (ILS) of the United States, Thales Alenia Space of France and Al Yah Satellite Communications Co. (Yahsat) of the United Arab Emirates today announced an agreement to launch a Yahsat spacecraft on a Proton Breeze M vehicle.

A European consortium of Thales Alenia Space and Astrium was contracted in August 2007 for the overall Yahsat communication system and is building two large Yahsat multipurpose satellites based on the Astrium Eurostar 3000 bus. Yahsat, which is owned by Mubadala Development Company, will provide commercial and government services across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia.

Thales Alenia Space was contracted for the Proton launch on behalf of Yahsat.

"The continued confidence shown by Thales Alenia and Astrium in the Proton launch system was key to selecting ILS for this mission," said ILS President Frank McKenna. "We must earn customer confidence every day, and our performance over the years with these two fine companies will continue well into the future."

McKenna added, "We're pleased to have been selected to play an important role in establishing Yahsat's business in the Middle East region, which is an exciting growth area for satellite communications."

"Yahsat considers the rollout of the Yahsat satellite program to be an essential role in the delivery of the latest in satellite broadcast and connectivity solutions to the Middle East, Africa and southwest Asia. Our partnership with Proton will develop this program as in our plans to establish ourselves as the satellite broadcast services provider of choice in the region," said Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat.

Source : International Launch Services

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