Es’hail-2 arrives at Kennedy Space Center launch site
November 14, 2018
Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has announced the safe arrival of Es’hail-2 satellite at the SpaceX launch facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA in preparation for the launch on 15 November 2018.
Es’hail-2 is now undergoing final preparation at the SpaceX launch facility for launch on board a Falcon 9 rocket. Lift-off is planned with a launch window starting at 23:46 on 15 November and ending at 01:29 on 16 November (both Doha times).
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.”