[SatNews] Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) has been awarded a new contract to deliver the Es'hail 2 communications satellite to operator Qatar Satellite Company (Es'hailSat) in Doha.

Artistic rendition of the Es'hailSat 2 satellite.

Image is courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

In-orbit delivery is scheduled for the end of 2016. Mitsubishi Electric is the first Japanese satellite manufacturer to enter the Arab commercial communications satellite market. With more than 15-year design life, the Es'hail 2 satellite will offer direct broadcasting services throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) of TV stations such as Al Jazeera and beIN SPORTS. From the orbital position at 26 degrees East, the satellite's Ku- and Ka-band capabilities will also provide government communication services. Moreover, Es'hail 2 will provide the world's first geostationary amateur radio service.

The satellite will be built on Mitsubishi Electric's DS2000 satellite bus platform with the flexibility to handle a broad range of payload applications. As the 16th member of the DS2000 satellite family, the Es'hail 2 will further demonstrate the platform's well-established reputation for highly reliable, on orbit performance. Mitsubishi Electric will also deliver the ground systems and training services in order to provide Es'hailSat as a full turnkey solution. Es'hail is the Arabic name of a star visible in the late summer, and is said to be a happy omen of fine weather.

The Mitsubishi Electric infosite is located at http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/ and http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/products/space/