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Posted On: 30 July 2013 01:16 pm
Updated On: 12 November 2020 02:13 pm

Qatar’s first satellite Es’hail 1 at spaceport for launch

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Es’hailSat, Qatar satellite company announced the arrival of the Es’hail 1 satellite at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, an overseas region of France on the north Atlantic coast of South America, ahead of its launch on August 29. Es’hail 1, Qatar’s first satellite, is now undergoing final preparations for a launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket at the European Spaceport. Es’hail is the name of a star which becomes visible in the night sky in this part of the world around the end of August. Lift-off is planned on August 29 during a launch window opening at 11:30pm and closing at 12.20am Doha time. “Traditionally, the sighting of Es’hail marks the beginning of most enjoyable weather conditions in the region and we are eagerly awaiting the launch of Es’hail 1 – our new star over Qatar,” said Ali Ahmed al-Kuwari, Es’hailSat’s chief executive officer. Es’hail 1 is designed to provide television broadcasting, telecommunications and government services in the Middle East and North Africa and is built by leading provider of commercial satellites Space Systems Loral (SSL). Es’hail 1 has four steerable spot beam antennas and four deployable reflectors along with advanced command and telemetry capabilities. Its weight is almost six tones. Broadcasting from the premium hot spot neighbourhood of 25.5 degrees East and addressing the growing demand for HDTV, Es’hailSat will provide much needed additional capacity for TV channels. Viewers will be able to receive richer, more diversified content without installing a new dish. The spacecraft is designed to operate in orbit for 15 years or more. Source:Qatar Chronicle