Es’hail-2 takes off on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket

Featuring Ku- and Ka-band capabilities, Es’hail-2 will provide coverage for TV distribution, telcos, and government services

Es’hail-2, the second satellite from Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has lifted off on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA.

Built by Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO), based on their DS 2000 satellite bus, Es’hail-2 is designed as a 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 neighbourhood, Es’hail-2 also features multi-transponder Ka-band capacity with “anti-jamming” capabilities, providing business and government sectors with secure communications across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The spacecraft has a design life in excess of 16 years.

Ali Al Kuwari, president and CEO of Es’hailSat, concluded: “We are very excited about the upcoming launch of Es’hail-2, the second in our planned fleet of satellites. Launching rockets into 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.”