Palo Alto, Calif. – November 16, 2016 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that announced that it will work with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) to support the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology’s Master Concentration in Space Systems and Technology in the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute on November 1st, SSL President John Celli presented an inspiring view of current space technology and how SSL is influenced by its innovative Silicon Valley environment. He also offered resources to the Masdar Institute leadership, so that the Institute’s research-driven, graduate-level studies can benefit from SSL’s technical expertise and long experience with satellites and spacecraft systems.
Masdar Institute launched its space concentration in the fall of 2015. The concentration is offered in seven of the institute’s nine current Master’s programs. It was developed to foster the advanced research areas in space science and technology needed to support the UAE national space program and space-related industries with human resources, technical advancements and infrastructure. The UAE has set itself a goal of becoming the first Arab country to launch a mission to another planet by sending a probe to Mars by 2021, and space is one of the seven sectors targeted in the UAE National Innovation Strategy, which aims to make the UAE one of the world’s most innovative countries by 2021.
In partnership with Yahsat, SSL will provide program management guidance and technical expertise to support Masdar Institute’s CubeSat program.
Masdar Institute, which was established by the UAE government in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), aims to support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification by nurturing highly-skilled human and intellectual capital in areas of strategic and economic relevance to the country and region. The Institute’s advanced space concentration provides students with the opportunity to earn their chosen Master’s degree while contributing to high-tech research in space technology.
As part of Masdar Institute’s space concentration, students in various engineering disciplines have the opportunity to work in groups to design, integrate, construct, test and subsequently operate a miniature satellite, called a CubeSat, which will be launched and monitored via a ground station.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to help provide space science education to the promising students at Masdar Institute and around the globe, who are ultimately responsible for leading us into the future of space technology,” Celli added. “Thank you to Masdar and Yahsat for inviting us to participate in this unique and important program.”
SSL provides complex spacecraft that are used by companies around the globe, to provide news and entertainment, emergency services, and connectivity for economic development in remote regions. SSL also builds small satellites for services such as Earth observation, and develops innovative space systems such as the propulsion system for a NASA moon mission and robotics for spacecraft assembly in space.
About Masdar Institute
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges. An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.
Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.
Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
Masdar Institute offers degrees in:
Please visit our website http://www.masdar.ac.ae/
For more information contact:
Name: Shaima Al Jarman
Director – Marketing & Communications
Public Affairs Department
Email: saljarman@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 810 9365
About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC, “Yahsat”
Yahsat provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose Ka-band satellite services including:
Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012. Yahsat has announced the manufacturing of its third satellite, Al Yah 3, planned for launch in early 2017, extending their commercial Ka-band coverage to an additional 20 markets reaching 60% of Africa’s population and over 95% of Brazil’s population, marking the company’s first entry in to Brazil. For more information visit www.yahsat.ae or www.mubadala.ae
About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for more than 50 years, SSL’s advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems Loral (SSL) with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this news release, the words “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “project”, “intend” or “outlook” or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of SSL’s end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL’s factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects SSL’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.
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