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Yahsat satellite to be launched on Proton Breeze

ABU DHABI - International Launch Services (ILS) of the United States, Thales Alenia Space of France and Al Yah Satellite Communications Co. (Yahsat) of Mubadala announced an agreement to launch a Yahsat satellite 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 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.

"Yahsat considers the rollout of the Yahsat satellite programme 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 programme 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.

Yahsat entered into a supply contract to deliver a fully integrated satellite system with EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space in August 2007 for $1.7 billion.