Airbus completes delivery of Space42 Thuraya 4 satellite for December launch

Airbus completes delivery of Space42 Thuraya 4 satellite for December launch
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
Space42's latest telecommunications satellite, Thuraya 4, designed and built by Airbus, has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is set to launch into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket later this month. The satellite was transported from Toulouse, France, using an Airbus BelugaST (A300-600ST) aircraft.

Thuraya 4, a geostationary satellite, will enhance connectivity across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This next-generation system will support advanced mobility solutions, meeting the needs of various industries. The satellite was commissioned by Yahsat, now part of Space42, a UAE-based SpaceTech company integrating AI technologies for global applications.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services, Space42, emphasized the significance of Thuraya 4: "We are delighted that the Thuraya 4 satellite has reached its final destination before launch. Thuraya 4 is at the core of our next-generation mobility solutions plans and demonstrates our commitment to harnessing advanced SpaceTech to unlock innovative AI-powered services for our global client base. Thuraya 4 will significantly expand our product offerings with more than 15 new products when it becomes fully operational."

Alain Faure, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, highlighted the partnership: "The shipment of Thuraya 4 represents a major milestone and reinforces our longstanding partnership with Yahsat Space Services, Space42 stretching back more than 10 years. In addition to being fully electric, Thuraya 4 also features Airbus' latest processed payload technology to give increased flexibility and adaptability to Space42's customers across land, sea and air."

Thuraya 4 is based on Airbus' advanced all-electric Eurostar Neo platform, integrating a 12-meter L-Band antenna and cutting-edge on-board processing capabilities. It supports up to 3,200 dynamically allocated channels, enhancing coverage and flexibility across numerous industries, including defense, government, and enterprise sectors.

The satellite is one of the largest MSS communication systems produced, offering higher speeds, expanded services, and advanced security features. Its delivery marks a major step in advancing Space42's capabilities to address the needs of a global customer base.

The BelugaST aircraft transported Thuraya 4 from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on November 23, with stopovers in the Azores and Nova Scotia, before landing in the U.S. on November 25.

The Eurostar Neo satellite family incorporates next-generation technologies developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA), the French space agency CNES, and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).