Abu Dhabi's outer space ambitions will reach new heights when the first commercial satellite developed by Yahsat will be set for lift off later this month.
Following a successful launch on March 30 at 3am UAE time, the "Y1A" satellite will beam down a range of television and telecommunications services to over 20 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Yahsat, which is owned by Mubadala Development, a strategic investment company controlled by the Abu Dhabi Government, plans on launching a second satellite in orbit in the second half of this year.
The total investment of the two satellites is about $1.2 billion (Dh4.4bn) and each is expected to stay in orbit for about 15 years.
"The launch of Yahsat's first satellite is a fantastic achievement and a moment of pride for all involved," said Jassim al Zaabi, the chief executive of Yahsat.
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"By expanding our satellite communication capabilities, we are supporting the development of an advanced information and communications infrastructure that will drive economic diversification and social progress across the whole region."
Yahsat is planning to launch the satellite, dubbed the "Y1A", next month aboard the Ariane 5 ECA rocket at the Arianespace facility in Kourou, French Guiana.
The satellite was built in partnership with EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, two leading satellite manufacturing companies.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
RESULTS
Women:
55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2
Men:
62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke