Artist rendition of Arabsat’s BADR-8 satellite. Photo: Airbus

Arabsat contracted Airbus to build the BADR-8 telecommunications satellite. BADR-8 will replace and increase Arabsat’s capacity at the BADR hotspot at 26 degrees East. Additionally, the BADR-8 satellite will be based on the Airbus Eurostar Neo electric orbit raising platform, and will include the Airbus-developed TELEO optical communications payload demonstrator.

The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2023, and will reach Geostationary Orbit (GEO) in four to five months, depending on the type of launcher used. It has been designed to remain in service in orbit for more than 15 years.

Arabsat President and CEO Khalid Balkheyour commented: “We are delighted to sign this contract with our long term partner Airbus. It marks another milestone in our objectives to provide customers with premium satellite technology with the highest level of performance, and to expand reliability and service security. BADR-8 will be joining our Badr-network at Arabsat 26 degrees East hotspot, expanding our service over EMEA region.”