Satellite to meet Qatar communication needs

Qatar’s proposed launch of its first satellite, Es’hail 1, in the second quarter of 2013 will support the country’s sophisticated communication needs, particularly in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, a top official has said. Speaking after visiting the US facilities of Space Systems/Loral, the satellite manufacturing firm, Qatar Satellite Company CEO Ali Ahmad al-Kuwari said the objective behind the next year’s launch of Es’hail 1 and future satellites planned was to provide “high quality, independent” satellite services to customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa besides supporting Qatar’s commitment to meeting the sophisticated communications needs required to host FIFA’s World Cup in 2022. A Qatar Satellite Company (Es’hailSat) delegation, headed by al-Kuwari, visited Loral’s high-tech Palo Alto site in California to receive an update on the Es’hail 1 satellite manufacturing programme and conducted a tour of the manufacturing facilities to view the satellite. Es’hail 1 will share a spacecraft platform with the European satellite operator Eutelsat. The delegation also followed the progress in the two-year intensive satellite training programme being given to four Es’hailSat engineering trainees from Qatar. The engineering candidates are rotating through skills development in various departments at Space Systems/Loral, following the Es’hail 1 satellite through design, manufacture, test and launch. Al-Kuwari expressed happiness at being able to provide the first satellite training programme in the country for the four promising engineers. He said investment in local talent underpins Es’hailsat’s mission to become a world-class satellite operator and centre of excellence in the region and fully-supports the goals of Qatar’s 2030 Vision. John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral, said he was honoured to have al-Kuwari and accompanying delegation visit their facility. He said the value of hands on experience with satellite design, test and operation could not be overestimated, and the trainees from Es’hailSat had shown great promise in their ability to contribute to their company’s success as a satellite operator in the Middle East.