Al Yah Satellite Communications
Al Yah Satellite Communications, commonly known as Yahsat, was a United Arab Emirates satellite operator providing connectivity, broadcasting and government communications services across multiple regions.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Al Yah Satellite Communications, commonly known as Yahsat, was a United Arab Emirates satellite communications company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Established within the investment system associated with Mubadala, the company was created to develop, operate and use multipurpose communications satellite systems serving government and commercial customers in Africa, Europe and West Asia. Its activities subsequently expanded across a wider international footprint covering more than 150 countries. Yahsat’s business combined satellite capacity, ground infrastructure and managed communications services. Its offerings included voice, data, video and internet connectivity for broadcasters, internet service providers, very-small-aperture terminal users, private organizations and government institutions. The company’s service portfolio supported fixed satellite communications, broadband access, media distribution, enterprise networking and secure government communications. It also worked with partners on direct-to-home television capacity and related broadcast services. A major early phase of the company’s development involved commissioning a dedicated satellite system. In 2008, Yahsat selected a consortium comprising EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to construct its satellites. The company also appointed Arianespace to launch its first spacecraft and entered into a long-term agreement with the UAE Armed Forces for secure satellite communications, including ground terminals and gateway infrastructure. Its first satellite, Al Yah 1, was launched in April 2011 and positioned at 52.5 degrees east. A second spacecraft, Al Yah 2, followed in April 2012. Yahsat broadened its commercial and strategic activities through partnerships. In 2009, it joined with SES to establish YahLive, a business focused on direct-to-home television capacity and services for the Middle East and North Africa. The broader Yahsat platform served government, media, enterprise and connectivity customers, with satellite links particularly relevant in locations where terrestrial networks were unavailable, unreliable or insufficient for specialized communications needs. The company was listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the ticker YAHSAT and remained a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. In December 2023, Yahsat and Bayanat announced plans to combine their businesses. Following regulatory and shareholder approvals, the merger was completed in October 2024, creating Space42 Plc. As a result, Al Yah Satellite Communications is best treated as a former standalone listed company and predecessor business of Space42, although Yahsat-related activities and branding may continue within the successor group.
History
Al Yah Satellite Communications was incorporated in the United Arab Emirates in January 2008 with the objective of developing and operating multipurpose satellite communications systems for government and commercial use. Its initial geographic emphasis was Africa, Europe and West Asia, although the company later described its service reach as extending across more than 150 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia. The company’s early development was closely linked to the creation of an owned satellite fleet. In July 2008, Yahsat approved a consortium formed by EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to build its satellites. Manufacturing took place in Europe over a period reported as approximately 36 months. During the same formative period, Yahsat appointed Arianespace to launch its first satellite and secured a long-term government customer through a 15-year agreement with the UAE Armed Forces. That agreement covered secure satellite communications in the UAE and included the supply of ground terminals and gateway infrastructure. Yahsat also pursued commercial broadcast opportunities. In August 2009, it formed a partnership with SES to establish YahLive, a business operating under the YahLive name and focused on direct-to-home television capacity and services for the Middle East and North Africa. This complemented Yahsat’s broader satellite capacity and communications activities, which included services for broadcasters, internet providers, VSAT users, private organizations and government bodies. The first Yahsat spacecraft, Al Yah 1, was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana on 22 April 2011. The satellite was positioned at 52.5 degrees east and became a foundation of the company’s communications platform. Al Yah 2, a larger second satellite, was launched by International Launch Services on a Proton Breeze M vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on 24 April 2012. Together with associated ground systems and service capabilities, the satellites supported voice, data, video, internet, broadcast and managed connectivity applications. Yahsat operated as a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company and became a public company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the symbol YAHSAT. Its business combined infrastructure ownership with service delivery to government, enterprise, media and remote-connectivity customers. The company’s strategic relevance reflected the role of satellite systems in providing coverage beyond terrestrial networks and in supporting secure or specialized communications. In December 2023, Yahsat and Bayanat announced a proposed merger. The transaction was intended to combine Yahsat’s space and satellite communications capabilities with Bayanat’s geospatial and data-related activities. After the relevant approvals, the combination was completed in October 2024 and resulted in the formation of Space42 Plc. The merger marked the end of Al Yah Satellite Communications as a standalone listed corporate entity, while its satellite communications activities became part of the successor company’s wider space and geospatial technology platform.
- 2024
SAR satellite launched with Bayanat
[1]Yahsat and Bayanat cooperate on the launch of a synthetic-aperture radar satellite intended to enhance Earth observation.
- 2024
Space42 formed through merger
[1]Yahsat completes its merger with Bayanat in October, forming Space42 Plc.
- 2023
Combination with Bayanat announced
[1]Yahsat and Bayanat announce plans to combine their businesses and create Space42.
- 2012
Al Yah 2 launched
[1]The company launches Al Yah 2 from Baikonur on a Proton Breeze M vehicle.
- 2011
Al Yah 1 launched
[1]Yahsat’s first satellite is launched from the Guiana Space Centre and positioned at 52.5 degrees east.
- 2009
YahLive partnership created
[1]Yahsat and SES establish YahLive to provide direct-to-home television capacity and services in the MENA region.
- 2008
Yahsat is incorporated
[1]Al Yah Satellite Communications is incorporated in the United Arab Emirates to develop and operate multipurpose government and commercial satellite systems.
- 2008
Satellite construction consortium approved
[1]Yahsat selects EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to construct its communications satellites.
- 2008
UAE Armed Forces agreement signed
[1]Yahsat signs a 15-year agreement to provide secure satellite communications, terminals and gateway infrastructure to the UAE Armed Forces.
Products and positioning
A government-backed, multi-mission satellite communications infrastructure provider serving public-sector, enterprise, broadcast and remote-connectivity customers.
Satellite communications
Satellite communications capacity
Yahsat operated multipurpose communications satellites and sold or managed satellite capacity for voice, data, video and internet applications. Capacity supported broadcasters, internet providers, VSAT users, government agencies, private organizations and enterprise networks across markets where satellite coverage could supplement or replace terrestrial infrastructure.
Government communications · 2008
Government and secure communications
This business area provided secure satellite communications and supporting infrastructure for government and defense-related customers. The service model included satellite links, ground terminals and gateway infrastructure, with the UAE Armed Forces serving as an early government customer under a long-term agreement.
Connectivity services
Satellite broadband and VSAT connectivity
Yahsat supported broadband, internet and VSAT connectivity for enterprise, private-sector and remote-area users. These services were suited to locations with limited terrestrial coverage and to organizations needing managed data links across distributed sites.
Broadcast satellite services · 2009
Broadcasting and media distribution
The company supplied satellite transmission and distribution capacity for television and other audio-visual services. Through its partnership with SES, Yahsat also participated in YahLive, which focused on direct-to-home television services for countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Communications satellite · 2011
Al Yah 1
Al Yah 1 was Yahsat’s first communications satellite. It was launched from the Guiana Space Centre on 22 April 2011 and positioned at 52.5 degrees east, providing a core platform for the company’s voice, data, broadcast and internet-related services.
Communications satellite · 2012
Al Yah 2
Al Yah 2 was Yahsat’s second major communications satellite. It was launched by International Launch Services on a Proton Breeze M vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 24 April 2012, expanding the company’s satellite communications platform.
Brand decisions
2023
Approve a combination with BayanatM&ABackground
Yahsat and Bayanat announced a proposed combination intended to bring satellite communications, space and geospatial capabilities into a single Emirati company.
Action taken
The companies pursued the transaction through regulatory and shareholder approval processes.
Aftermath
The merger was completed in October 2024 and resulted in Space42 Plc, ending Yahsat’s existence as a standalone listed company.
2009
Enter the direct-to-home television market through YahLiveStrategyBackground
Yahsat sought to extend its satellite platform beyond government communications and commercial capacity leasing.
Action taken
The company partnered with SES to establish YahLive for direct-to-home television capacity and services in the Middle East and North Africa.
Aftermath
The partnership added media distribution and broadcast services to Yahsat’s broader communications portfolio.
2008
Build a dedicated multipurpose satellite systemStrategyBackground
Yahsat was established to create satellite communications infrastructure serving both government and commercial customers across Africa, Europe and West Asia.
Action taken
The company commissioned dedicated satellites, associated ground infrastructure and related service capabilities.
Aftermath
This decision created the technical foundation for Yahsat’s subsequent broadband, broadcast, enterprise and government communications businesses.
Recent events
Yahsat selects Cobham Satcom for Thuraya 4-NGS ground system[3]
Reported:
Yahsat selected Cobham Satcom to deliver a mobile broadband system, including ground infrastructure and products, for its next-generation Thuraya 4-NGS system. The contract covers development of terminals for land, maritime and aeronautical applications.
Yahsat and Emirates Red Crescent announce e-learning partnership[4]
Reported:
Yahsat announced a partnership with Emirates Red Crescent Authority, which will use Yahsat’s resources to support remote education programs in refugee camps and other communities affected by disasters and crises.
Yahsat announces board appointments and CEO succession[5]
Reported:
Yahsat announced three new board members and appointed Ali Al Hashemi as its next group CEO, effective April 18, 2021; Masood Sharif Mahmood was to step down as CEO on that date.
Yahsat partners with Airbus to build Thuraya 4-NGS[6]
Reported:
Yahsat announced a partnership with Airbus to build Thuraya 4-NGS, a next-generation mobile telecommunications system. The project includes an initial investment of more than $500 million, funded by Yahsat and its subsidiary Thuraya.
- Unconfirmed
Yahsat wins UAE Emiratisation Award[7]
Yahsat announced that it won the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s Emiratisation Award in three categories, including Best Company of the Year.
Sources7 sources
- 1Al Yah Satellite Communicationsen.wikipedia.org
- 2Yahsat official websiteyahsat.com
- 3Yahsat选定Cobham Satcom负责Thuraya 4-NGS地面系统satellitetoday.com
- 4Yahsat与阿联酋红新月会宣布线上学习合作satellitetoday.com
- 5Yahsat宣布董事会任命及首席执行官继任安排prnasia.com
- 6Yahsat与空中客车合作建造Thuraya 4-NGSthenationalnews.com
- 7Yahsat获阿联酋酋长国化奖abudhabicityguide.com
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