China Great Wall Industry Signs Contract to Develop ARABSAT-50 Communications Satellite

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) has signed a contract with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for the ARABSAT-50 communications satellite project, under which the Chinese side will be responsible for satellite development and associated launch services. ARABSAT-50 will adopt the DFH-3E satellite platform and be equipped with a high-power Ku-band payload, primarily supporting direct-to-home television broadcasting services at the 26°E orbital position and meeting Arabsat's future Ku-band capacity requirements.

ARABSAT-50 will feature flexible beam and channel frequency adjustment capabilities, allowing satellite capacity to be reconfigured according to actual business needs. It will also serve as a backup resource for Arabsat's existing satellite network, providing business continuity and disaster recovery support at different orbital positions, with a focus on strengthening broadcasting service assurance at the core 26°E orbital position.

According to the currently disclosed project plan, ARABSAT-50 will be provided with a complete satellite and launch solution by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation system. Public information shows that the satellite is planned to be launched into geostationary transfer orbit by a Long March 3B launch vehicle, forming an integrated delivery model covering satellite platform, payload integration, and launch services.

Arabsat is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was jointly established in 1976 by 21 member states of the League of Arab States. It currently operates multiple communications satellites covering the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia. The name ARABSAT-50 corresponds to its 50th anniversary and also marks the first time Arabsat has selected a Chinese company to undertake a complete communications satellite project.