NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: gongora on 09/08/2021 05:46 pm
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DISCUSSION THREAD for Thuraya 4-NGS launch
NSF Threads for Thuraya 4-NGS : Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54748.0)
Launch in Q4 2024 to GTO. Payload mass around ?kg.
https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-contract-to-launch-yahsats-thuraya-4-ngs-satellite/
Yahsat has selected SpaceX to launch its next-generation Thuraya mobile connectivity satellite in 2023, the companies announced Sept. 8.
A Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite, being built by Airbus Defence and Space for UAE-based Yahsat, in the second half of 2023.
[Aug. 27, 2020] Yahsat signs contract with Airbus to build Thuraya’s next generation system (https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/08/yahsat-signs-contract-with-airbus-to-build-thurayas-next-generation-system.html)
Abu Dhabi / Toulouse, Aug 27, 2020 – Airbus has been selected by Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE’s leading global satellite operator, to build Thuraya 4-NGS, the next generation mobile telecommunications system that will drive the continued advancement of Thuraya’s L-band business. Thuraya 4-NGS will deliver higher capabilities and flexibility while increasing capacity and coverage across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, enabling next generation mobility solutions for all customer segments, including defense, government and enterprise.
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This latest commitment from Yahsat takes its total committed investment to date to well over US$500 million, and more is anticipated in the coming years, including an option with Airbus to build Thuraya 5-NGS (an additional satellite identical to Thuraya 4-NGS), strengthening its coverage and capabilities across the Asia Pacific region.
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Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Thuraya and General Manager of Yahsat Government Solutions (YGS) continued, “Thuraya 4-NGS represents a significant evolution of our L-band capabilities, enabling a wider range of interoperable FSS/MSS solutions for Thuraya and YGS customers. This will be critical in delivering superior defense solutions, such as battlefield communications, to our government users, while offering a complete MSS portfolio to all of our current and future customers and partners to drive the next phase of innovation and growth.”
Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Airbus Space Systems said, “Building on a relationship with Yahsat that dates back more than 10 years, our selection is testament to the innovation and engineering excellence of Airbus’ geostationary satellites. Thuraya 4-NGS, as well as being electric, will also benefit from our latest processed payload technology giving increased flexibility and adaptability over the course of its life in orbit. Yahsat’s new project reinforces Airbus Defence and Space’s position as the world’s number one in electric propulsion satellites.”
Based on the state-of-the-art all-electric Airbus Eurostar Neo Platform, Thuraya 4-NGS will incorporate a large 12-metre L-band antenna and a payload with on-board processing providing advanced routing flexibility of up to 3200 channels with dynamic power allocation over a large number of spot beams. It is scheduled for operation in 2024.
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I haven't been too much attention but it feels like it's been forever since SpaceX got a new launch contract for a GTO bird. Good to see.
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It's their third this year, not too bad.
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Wow, from the Space News article:
Ali Al Hashemi, chief executive of Yahsat, said the company didn’t consider other launch providers for the satellite. “We think SpaceX is the most reliable choice for our mission, to ensure to our shareholders that we will achieve our mission on time,” he said. “It’s the least risky launcher as we see it.”
No point in getting competing bids, I guess.
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Wow, from the Space News article:
Ali Al Hashemi, chief executive of Yahsat, said the company didn’t consider other launch providers for the satellite. “We think SpaceX is the most reliable choice for our mission, to ensure to our shareholders that we will achieve our mission on time,” he said. “It’s the least risky launcher as we see it.”
No point in getting competing bids, I guess.
Well, alternate launchers available for late 2023 is either too new or too expensive along with limited launch availability. SpaceX can always bump a Starlink flight to accommodated the customer's launch requirements.
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Wow, from the Space News article:
Ali Al Hashemi, chief executive of Yahsat, said the company didn’t consider other launch providers for the satellite. “We think SpaceX is the most reliable choice for our mission, to ensure to our shareholders that we will achieve our mission on time,” he said. “It’s the least risky launcher as we see it.”
No point in getting competing bids, I guess.
Looks like the article has been edited after being published:
Ali Al Hashemi, chief executive of Yahsat, said the company did a competitive tender process for the satellite, but that SpaceX offered by far the best proposal. “We think SpaceX is the most reliable choice for our mission, to ensure to our shareholders that we will achieve our mission on time,” he said. “It’s the least risky launcher as we see it.”
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Seems like this launch has slipped to 2024.
Yahsat ordered a next-generation L-band satellite called Thuraya-4 NGS from Airbus two years later to refresh part of Thuraya’s constellation, which SpaceX is slated to launch in 2024.
https://spacenews.com/yahsat-invests-in-direct-to-cell-enabler-esat-global/
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a little more info on the length of the previously noted delay...
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1592065117465747456
.@yahsatofficial reviews best/final offers for 2 telecom satellites, reports 6-month delay on @ThurayaTelecom 4-NGS mobile comms sat, plans to bid for work on @uaespaceagency $800M fund including radar observation constellation. @Airbus. http://bit.ly/3E8KT0c
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On track for a H1 2024 launch as of June 8.
Even more exciting opportunities lie ahead as Yahsat's sixth satellite, Thuraya 4-NGS, set for launch in H1 2024, becomes operational in 2025.
https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/yahsat-embarks-on-an-action-packed-week-of-activities-in-singapore-as-it-targets-international-market-expansion-g5pie0y0 (https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/yahsat-embarks-on-an-action-packed-week-of-activities-in-singapore-as-it-targets-international-market-expansion-g5pie0y0)
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Yahsat reports strong third quarter results for 2023 (https://www.yahsat.com/en/investor-relations/news-and-announcements/company-news)
7 November 2023
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The construction of the Thuraya-4 NGS satellite remains on track for launch in 2024 and entry into service in H1 2025
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Launch now in the second half of the year:
Yahsat reports strongest ever financial results for 2023 (https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/yahsat-reports-strongest-ever-financial-results-for-2023-f12whu89)
March 5, 2024
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Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Chairman of Yahsat, commented: “[...] Yahsat is entering a new phase of its journey following the award of its largest ever government mandate, covering the procurement of two new satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, and the upcoming launch of Thuraya 4 in the second half of 2024. [...]"
[...]
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This article (https://advanced-television.com/2024/04/23/thuraya-3-suffers-major-problem/) says the launch date is December 2024 but I cant find a more official source.
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They may need to launch sooner than that:
Thuraya-3 satellite’s comms payload fails in orbit
Middle Eastern satellite operator Yahsat’s subsidiary Thuraya has lost one of its satellite fleet – or rather it has lost is communications payload. The Thuraya 3 communications satellite, located over 98.5 degrees East in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) reportedly had a serious payload anomaly on 15 April 2024. The company has not released exact details of the anomaly but reports that communications services have been significantly diminished, albeit that the spacecraft itself remains under control.
https://www.seradata.com/thuraya-3-comms-payload-fails-in-orbit/ (https://www.seradata.com/thuraya-3-comms-payload-fails-in-orbit/)
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https://twitter.com/yahsatofficial/status/1806236587501466093
[Translated]
Only a few months away from the launch of the Thuraya 4 satellite. We are excited to change the face of the telecommunications sector forever. Stay tuned for more news about this historic moment.
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Press Release: Yahsat Reports Solid First Half Results for 2024 - July 30, 2024 (https://www.yahsat.com/en/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/reports)
Further, we continue to work towards a successful launch of the Thuraya 4 next generation satellite in the fourth quarter of this year, which will significantly upgrade Thuraya’s capabilities and product line for many years to come.
In 2020, Yahsat commenced construction of Thuraya 4, the next generation telecommunications system for Thuraya, which is due to enter service in 2025.