Artist rendering of the Al Yah 3 satellite. Photo: Yahsat

[Via Satellite 01-15-2014] Orbital Sciences Corporation and UAE-based satellite operator Yahsat, have completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Al Yah 3 spacecraft and payload. Al Yah 3, which is based on Orbital’s GEOStar 3 platform, is an all Ka-band, High Throughput Satellite (HTS) to be designed, manufactured and tested at Orbital’s satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Va.

The PDR was a comprehensive review that validated Orbital’s design approach to the physical and functional requirements of the spacecraft. The review is the first step toward confirming that the satellite will operate effectively on orbit.

Once operational, Al Yah 3 will enable the delivery of affordable broadband to more than 600 million users, specifically covering more than 95 percent of the population in Brazil and 60 percent of the population in Africa.

“Al Yah 3 will be the first hybrid electric propulsion GEOStar 3-based spacecraft to be launched by Orbital at the end of 2016. It provides the benefits of higher power and greater payload capability while still maintaining advantageous launch costs,” said Christopher Richmond, Orbital’s senior vice president.