The Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi plans to launch its first satellite in 2009 and will choose one of two firms from Europe and the United States for the $1 billion project, state-owned Mubadala Development Co. said.
The hybrid military and communications satellite will be launched in second quarter of 2009, Mubadala’s chief operating officer, Waleed al-Mokarrab al-Muhairi, told the Reuters Middle East Investment Summit in Dubai on Monday.
“The project cost is about $1 billion,” he said, adding the satellite footprint would extend to Africa and Central Asia.
Muhairi said there were two companies vying for the project, European and U.S. bidders, but declined to name them.
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