Our History

Each organization prides itself of a number of key dates associated with events representing qualitative changes and critical phases in its life history.

At Arabsat, we believe that the following dates are symbolical landmarks, not only for Arabsat, but also for the Arab people in general in view of their positive impact on their lifestyle, way of educating and entertaining themselves, as well as the reality and sustaiability of telecommunications across the entire Arab world.

· 2008 Successful launch of BADR-6 @ 26°East.

· 2007 Contract signature for the construction and launch of BADR-5 @ 26°E and Arabsat-5A @ 30.5°East.

· 2006 Start commercial operations of BADR-4 @ 26°East.

· 2006 Successful launch of BADR-4 @ 26°East.

· 2006 Contract signature for the construction and launch of BADR-6 @ 26°E, co-located with BADR-4.

· 2003 Contract signature for the construction and launch of Arabsat-4A and BADR-4 @ 26°East.

· 1999 Launch of BADR-3 to the 26°East orbital position, co-located with Arabsat-2A.

· 1997 Signature of the contract to sell Arabsat-1C to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on November 26, 1997.

· 1997 Signature of the consultation services contract with the Canadian firm TELESAT to supervise the manufacturing of the first third-generation satellite on April 1, 1996.

· 1996 Investment of 10% in the UAE’s Thuraya Project for Mobile Telephone Communications.

· 1996 Launch of the second of second-generation satellites, Arabsat-2B @ 30.5°East, on November 13, 1996.

· 1996 Signature of the contract for the manufacturing of the first of the third-generation satellites, BADR-3, on November 7, 1996.

· 1996 Launch of the first of the second-generation satellites, Arabsat-2A @ 26°E, on July 9, 1996.

· 1993 Signature of the contract with the French firm EADS-Astrium for the manufacturing of the second-generation satellites (Arabsat-2A and Arabsat-2B) on April 17, 1993.

· 1992 Launch of the third of first-generation satellites, Arabsat-1C, on February 26, 1992.

· 1991 Entering into a contract with the German firm Datacon to supervise and control the manufacturing of the second-generation of Arabsat satellites.

· 1991 Entering into a contract with the European firm Ariane for the launch of the third of first-generation satellites: Arabsat-1C.

· 1988 All of Arabsat’s facilities operated and maintained by Arab engineers and technicians since January 1, 1988.

· 1985 Launch of the second of first-generation satellites Arabsat-1B by the American space shuttle on June 18, 1985.

· 1985 Launch of the first of first-generation satellites Arabsat-1A, by an Ariane rocket on February 8, 1985.

· 1983 Entering into a contract with the Japanese firm, NIC, for the design and execution of the main and secondary control facilities.

· 1982 Entering into a contract with the American Space Agency NASA for the launch into orbit of the first Arab satellite: Arabsat-1A.

· 1981 Entering into a contract with French EADS-Astrium for the design and manufacture of the first-generation of Arab satellites (three satellites).

· 1978 Signature of the consultation services contract for the establishment of a regional Arab space system to be used by Arab administrations.

· 1976 Establishment of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT) in order to design, execute and operate the first Arab space system of its kind.