Press Release

ARABSAT Invests into Cutting Edge Satellite Technology by signing a contract with Thales Alenia Space to supply a Software-Defined satellite

By SpaceRef Editor
April 29, 2022
Filed under , ,

Riyadh, April 29, 2022 – ARABSAT, the leading regional satellite operator in the Middle East and
Africa, and Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), have
signed a contract to build ARABSAT-7A, a fully flexible Software-Defined Satellite (SDS) based on
the Space Inspire (INstant SPace In-orbit REconfiguration) platform by Thales Alenia Space.

With this contract, ARABSAT joins the exclusive club of geostationary satellite operators who have
chosen this revolutionary technology to empower their business an d transition from traditional bent-
pipe GEO satellites to the highly agile and adaptable SDSs which are expected to change the face
of the geostationary satcom industry. Indeed, the Space Inspire platform will enable seamless
telecom mission and services reconfiguration of the ARABSAT-7A satellite, instant in-orbit
adjustment to broadband connectivity demand, and superior video broadcasting performance while
maximizing the effective use of satellite resources.

ARABSAT 7A will join ARABSAT 6A and 5A at its data hotspot at 30.5E. It will replace the bulk of
the existing C and Ku-band capacity on ARABSAT 5A 5A as this satellite reaches end-of-life to
ensure a seamless transition for customers and partners. It will also offer ample high-throughput Ku-
band capacity to help ARABSAT expand its services into several verticals to enhance its portfolio of
products and solutions over Middle East, Africa and beyond, to parts of Europe.

“Following a lengthy and very rigorous evaluation of the various products currently available on the
market, ARABSAT has decided to go with the Space Inspire platform and entrust Thales Alenia
Space, whom we have partnered with for well over four decades o n several programs. This program
is fully aligned with ARABSAT’s new transformation strategy, which is aimed at bringing ARABSAT
closer to its loyal customers to ensure sustainable growth for the satcom business in the region as
well as partnering with governments and enterprises in various countries to bridge the digital divide
and connect the unconnected which has become synonymous with economic prosperity and people
empowerment.” said Dr. Badr N. Alsuwaidan, acting CEO of ARABSAT.

“I am delighted that we have signed this contract with ARABSAT, which opens a new chapter in the
long-standing cooperation between our two companies” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia
Space. “We are very proud to be contributing to ARABSAT’s development in the MENA region by
providing our state-of-the art satellite platform that is fully reconfigurable in orbit. This latest success
reflects Thales Alenia Space’s technological expertise and confirms that our Space Inspire product
line, which is also supported by the European and French space agencies, perfectly matches the
fast evolving needs of the satcom market in terms of agility and flexibility.”

ABOUT ARABSAT

Founded in 1976 by the 21 member-states of the Arab League, Arabsat has been serving the growing needs
of the Arab world for over 45 years, operating from its headquarter in Riyadh-KSA and two Satellite control
stations in Riyadh and Tunis. Now one of the world’s top satellite operators and by far the leading satellite
services provider in the Arab world, it carries over 500 TV channels, 200 radio stations, pay -tv networks and
wide variety of HD channels reaching tens of millions of homes in more than 80 countries across the Middle
East, Africa and Europe—including an audience of over 170 million viewers in the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) region alone tuned into Arabsat’s video “hotspot” at 26°E. Operating a growing fleet of owned satellites
at the 20°E, 26°E, 30.5°E and 39°E, ARABSAT is the only satellite operator in the MENA region offering the
full spectrum of Broadcast, Telecommunications and Broadband services.

https://www.arabsat.com/

ARABSAT PRESS CONTACT

Saad Al Tehaif
Director, Public Relations & Media
Phone : 00966112819603
Email: SaadT@ARABSAT.com

ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales
Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation,
environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private
industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere
connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar
System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more
sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space
also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range
of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.15 billion euros in 2021
and has around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.

www.thalesaleniaspace.com-

THALES ALENIA SPACE PRESS CONTACTS

Catherine des Arcis +33 (0)4 92 92 72 82 catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com

Marija Kovac +39 (0)6 415 126 85 marija.kovac-somministrato@thalesaleniaspace.com 

SpaceRef staff editor.