YahSat launch delayed
February 20, 2012
By Chris Forrester
YahSat’s second satellite (Y1B), expected to be launched in a few days, has been delayed until April. The delays are the result of delays with the Russia Proton-ILS launch rocket over the December-January period, and two other technical glitches which happened prior the successful launch of SES-4 last weekend.
Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Yahsat’s CEO, said: “The delay is unfortunate but it is well-known that launch delays, and the ‘domino effect’ they often have on the subsequent launches, is a risk that the satellite industry must face. However, we are actively working with our partners to minimise the impact of the delay by using this time to optimise our planned post launch testing for the Y1B satellite and associated services. We are also working with our partners to minimise the delay in our commercial roll-out and are looking at ways we can begin these as early as possible,” he concluded.
Yahsat’s Y1B satellite, which weighs about six tonnes, will be launched into space by a Proton-M launch vehicle with a Breeze-M booster stage.
Yahsat will be placed alongside the operator’s first satellite (Y1A) at 52.5 degrees East.