Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJsc (Yahsat), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, today signed a letter of intent with Arianespace, the world's leading launch Service & Solutions company, to launch the Yahsat 1A communications satellite.

The satellite is currently being manufactured by the consortium of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space. The expected launch date is second half 2010.

The letter of intent was signed today between the CEO of Yahsat, Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, and the Chairman & CEO of Arianespace, Jean-Yves Le Gall, and coincides with the State visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The letter of intent states that the Yahsat 1A satellite is to be scheduled for a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) launch in the second half of 2010, from the Guiana Space Center (Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana) by an Ariane 5 launcher.

'Since inception in January 2007, Yahsat has made excellent progress in its plans to launch Abu Dhabi's first satellite in 2010. The manufacturing of Yahsat 1A is well underway and so we're delighted to announce this major development as we edge towards launch,' said Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat.

'Arianespace has launched more than 250 other satellites so we're confident that we have chosen a world-class partner to help support our mission, which will put Abu Dhabi on the map in the satellite communications industry,' he added.

Once in orbit, Yahsat 1A will provide services for both government and commercial customers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia. Yahsat 1A will be positioned at 52.5 degrees East and will provide innovative solutions for internet links via satellite, business data networks and television transmission services, in particular for high-definition television (HDTV).