Arabsat booklet in English. For more information, please visit http://www.arabsat.com

1. 2008
2005
2000
1990
1985 Thirty Years of Arabsat
1980
Creating the largest
Arab community in the sky
1976

2. “After over 30 years, the Arabsat
world now covers over 164 million
viewers in over 80 countries across
the Middle East, Africa, Europe and
far beyond, creating the largest Arab
community in the sky and connecting
Arab nations with each other and the
rest of the world through state-of-
the-art technology ”

3. Over 30 Years of Connecting
the Arab World
Arabsat has been connecting the Arabsat has been an Arab-operated entity, managed and
Arab world for over 30 years, and operated by highly-qualified and experienced professionals
we are proud to have been a part of composed of Arab nationals.
this journey for all these
This Arab team has overcome challenges, seized
remarkable years.
opportunities and led in innovation to achieve tremendous
During this time, Arabsat has built business success. Since our founding, Arabsat has generated
an unparalleled reputation for rewarding returns for its member countries. Over the years,
pioneering satellite communica- we have also managed to distribute dividends to our
tion services in the region. shareholders worth US$160 million—an amount almost
equal to our initial capital. This and other achievements
Indeed, Arabsat was the first to bring digital broadcast
show that Arabsat has successfully achieved all the goals set
technology to the region, letting viewers enjoy more of their
forth by the Board of Directors after it was established by the
favorite shows at far better quality—for less. In the process,
Arab League in 1976.
we helped transform satellite TV into a potent tool for
promoting economic, social, cultural and political progress in Along the way, not only has Arabsat succeeded in
our part of the world. becoming the leading satellite operator in the Arab world.
We have also become a role model for Arab cooperation,
Today, every country in our neighborhood has established a
successfully uniting our common goals and interests and
presence on the satellite broadcasting map. Arabsat was also
linking Arabs not only in our neighborhood but virtually
the first to bring satellite-based Internet services in the region
everywhere in the world.
in 1999, positioning the Arab world for the Information Age
and drawing a growing Arab neighborhood closer than ever The future is filled with many challenges. To maintain our
with unprecedented connectivity. success and leadership, we will need to move forward with
the same commitment which powered our growth through
Even as Arabsat services grew, so did our commitment to
the years. With increasing competition, we need to
grow into a true Arab entity. From our earliest days, the
constantly stay ahead of the pack with vision and a solid
management of Arabsat—represented by the General
strategy for the future.
Assembly and the Board of Directors—has placed a high
priority on developing Arab expertise. Through constant
training, Arabsat has succeeded in developing a truly world Fareed Khashoggi
class Arab team. Indeed, since 1988, we are proud to say that
Chairman, Arabsat
The Arabsat Journey | page 2

4. “Arabsat has been connecting the Arab world for over 30 years, and I’m
proud to have been a part of this journey for 15 of these remarkable years”

5. Building the largest
Arab community in the sky
Since this distinguished Arab also calls for greater diversification through investments in
organization was founded, a telecommunications and strategic partnerships with giant
number of exceptional individu- operators in the region and internationally.
als—the best Arab minds in
telecommunications—have had the By the grace of God, in 2006 and 2008 we successfully
honor of managing Arabsat. Wheth- launched the 4th Generation of Arabsat satellites—named
er as a member of the Board of Badr 4 and Badr 6—and positioned them at the Arabsat
Directors or the Executive Body, orbital hotspot of 26º East. Today, Arabsat is recognized as the
these remarkable individuals, with top satellite operator in the Middle East and the southern
God’s help, shaped Arabsat’s Mediterranean, and ranks 9th in the world. The First
success through the years. They were there from the earliest Secretary of the Arab League also recently applauded Arabsat
days when the challenges were forbidding, the resources for being a leader and a catalyst for Arab media collaboration.
meager and the options limited. For over thirty years, they With God’s grace, we are preparing to launch four more new
stood by Arabsat, steering the fledging organization through satellites, one each year from 2009 to 2012. Three of them
difficult times and finally leading it into safety until it grew will form part of the Arabsat 5th Generation while one of
into what it is today: a successful model of Arab cooperation. them will be the first of our 6th Generation satellites. These
When I was honored with the presidency of Arabsat in 2003, I new satellites will allow us to expand our coverage, an ever-
and my fellow members in the Executive Body had one main expanding reach which now covers the entire African
goal: to continue these great accomplishments and build a continent and huge swathes of Asia and Europe.
totally independent institution. Our vision was to put in place I thank God Almighty first and foremost, as well as the whole
a modern and self-sufficient satellite fleet, complete with in- Arabsat family, for Arabsat’s success. By constantly
orbit backup, that would allow Arabsat to fulfill present upgrading our satellite fleet and operating them with the finest
demand, provide greater capacity—and ensure future demand team of Arab experts, engineers and managers at our
without the need to rent satellites from other operators. headquarters and ground facilities in Riyadh and Tunisia,
Thus did we start restructuring this organization, carefully Arabsat is committed to continue this successful journey and
laying down strategic plans to help us stay nimble in the maintain its leading position in the regional and global
marketplace and become a potent competitor in the interna- market. This distinguished team is Arabsat’s most important
tional arena. Consequently, we have expanded our business investment. We thank them and appreciate their hard work
presence with new offices in Dubai and Cairo as well as a and dedication as they rise to the challenge of fulfilling our
representative office in Paris serving our customers in that greatest ambitious. May God Almighty bless them.
part of the world. We have also forged partnerships with the
media cities of Dubai and Jordan and, in collaboration with
NileSat, established an extension office at the Egyptian Media Khalid Balkheyour
Production City. We are presently exploring similar partner- President & CEO
ships in northwestern Africa, Iraq and Lebanon. Our strategy
The Arabsat Journey | page 4

6. “We have carefully laid out strategic plans for the short and long term
designed to help us stay nimble in the marketplace and and become a
potent competitor in the international arena”

7. The Arabsat World
The Arab world is defined as that long swathe of Arabic- The beginning
speaking lands stretching from North Africa in the east to
Arabsat was officially founded in 1976 by the 21 member
the Arabian Gulf in the west, a vast neighborhood
states of the Arab League, but Arabsat’s beginnings
straddling two continents and 25 countries with a
actually go back many years earlier when the world first
combined population of 325 million people. It’s a world
awoke to the potential of space.
so different yet so alike, a vibrant world which speaks
Arabic for the most part with its many local flavors and
In 1967, as the race for space captured the world’s
dialects, but also French, Berber, Somali, Kurdish and
imagination, the Arab world held a landmark conference at
many other tongues, all sharing a lively assortment of
the picturesque old port of Bizerte in Tunisia. Ministers of
distinct yet related cultural traditions and tastes.
culture and information from Arab countries gathered and
pondered the future, laying down the first blue prints for a
Today, thanks to Arabsat’s pioneering spirit and
Pan-Arab satellite system to connect the Arab world. The
continuous investments in the latest satellite technology,
conference set a vision for establishing a space-based system
this neighborhood has grown far beyond its original
using emerging satellite technology to support the
borders. After over 30 years, the Arabsat world now
information, cultural and education needs of Arab countries.
covers over 164 million viewers across the Middle East,
Africa, Europe—and far beyond. And today, Arabsat has
The stage was set. In less than a decade, Arab
grown into one of the world’s leading satellite operators
commitment to harness the emerging potential of satellite
and the largest, most successful satellite operator in the
technology became reality. In 1976, the 21 member states
Arab world, by far.
of the Arab League of Nations signed an agreement
formally establishing the Arab Satellite Communications
Organization to be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Arabsat Journey | page 6

8. 1967
In 1967, the Arab world held a landmark conference to lay down the first
blue prints for a Pan-Arab satellite system to cover the Arab world using
emerging satellite technology

9. Initially known by its acronym ASCO, it has since Work on Arabsat’s first satellites started in earnest. In the
become more popularly known as Arabsat. The agreement early 1980s Arabsat collaborated with an international team
laid down the first steps towards designing, executing and led by Aerospatiale of France to design and manufacture
operating the first Arab space-based system of its kind. Its the first generation of Arabsat satellites, a fleet of three
goal: to serve the needs of telecommunications, identical state-of-the-art satellites. Arabsat also signed a
information, culture and education sectors of the Arab contract with EADS Astrium Arianespace and NASA in the
world through satellite-based services matching the United States to place the satellites into orbit.
highest international standards.
Perhaps just as importantly, Arabsat started working on
infrastructure to control and manage its satellites from the
ground. Arabsat turned to Nippon Electric of Japan to design
The Countdown Begins:
and build two terrestrial stations: a main control and
Laying the groundwork for the first Arab broadcasting facility in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and a backup
community in the sky control facility in Tunisia, both to be delivered in time for the
When the Arab League established Arabsat in 1976, it scheduled launch of Arabsat’s first satellite in 1985.
was only the first of many steps in Arabsat’s long journey
into space. The next few years were spent laying down Now, all the pieces were in place and the final countdown
the groundwork for designing, funding and executing the to space had begun. The first Arab satellite system, first
first Pan-Arab satellite system. conceived some two decades earlier, was finally ready to
lift off the ground—and into history.
The Arabsat Journey | page 8

10. 1976
In 1976, the 21 member states of the Arab League of Nations signed
an agreement formally establishing the Arab Satellite Communications
Organization (Arabsat) to be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

11. Liftoff:
Arabsat in Space
In the early morning of February 8, 1985 somewhere in Recently, Arabsat signed two more contracts for two new
the Central American jungles of French Guiana at satellites. One of them represents the final addition to
Arianespace’s Guiana Space Center, the latest heavy-lift Arabsat’s 5th Generation satellites, while the second will
Ariane 3 launcher with its distinctive twin solid propellant be the first of Arabsat’s 6th Generation scheduled for
strap-on boosters blasted off with a state-of-the-art 1.27- launch in 2011 and 2012.
ton payload: Arabsat 1A, the first Arabsat satellite. Finally,
Arabsat was in space. Within a few months, after
successfully completing all in-orbit tests, Arabsat officially Arabsat: The First Generation
started commercial operations on August 22, 1985.
The first generation of Arabsat satellites were state-of-the-
This marked the beginning of decades of continuous art for their time. They included three satellites which
growth as Arabsat followed its first generation satellites were the first to feature new technology from
with a second generation, a third generation and most Aerospatiale, each carrying two S-band transponders and
recently, a fourth generation—a total of 9 satellites over the 25 C-band transponders. They had a nominal design life
years. Every generation was always an improvement on the of 7 years in orbit.
previous, a continuous process of upgrades and
advancement, of widening reach and increasing capability. The first Arabsat satellite, Arabsat 1A, was launched atop
an Ariane 3 launcher from the Arianespace launch site in
Today, the Arabsat satellite fleet at the 26º East and 30.5º French Guiana on February 8, 1985. Arabsat 1B, the
East orbital positions is the youngest and most capable fleet second satellite in the series, was launched aboard the
of satellites covering the Arab world. And with the 5th Space Shuttle Discovery in June 1985, just a few months
generation Arabsat satellites launching in late 2009 plus after Arabsat 1A.
one new satellite going to space until 2010, Arabsat has
grown from a mere vision into one of the world’s largest Fully aware of the significance of launching the second
satellite operators and, by far, the largest satellite operator Arab satellite into space, NASA assembled a seven-
in the Arab world. member international crew for the Space Shuttle which
The Arabsat Journey | page 10

12. 1985
Arabsat 1B, the second satellite in the first generation of Arabsat
satellites, was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery with the first
Arab Astronaut on board.

13. Canada in 1993 and leased its Anik D2 C-band satellite.
The satellite, a Hughes HS-376 bus carrying 24 active C-
band transponders, was repositioned from 82º West to 20º
East and renamed Arabsat 1D.
The fourth and final satellite in the first generation of
Arabsat satellites, Arabsat 1D was also a temporary
solution because by then, mindful of rising demand,
Arabsat already had its sights on a much more capable
second-generation of Arabsat satellites.
Arabsat: The Second Generation
Arabsat shopped around for a successor to its first-
generation satellites as early as 1990 and seriously
considered proposals from Hughes Aerospace, Aerospatiale
and British Aerospace. Arabsat awarded the US$257.9
million contract to Aerospatiale on April 17, 1993.
Once again, Arabsat continued its pioneering tradition. It
became the first satellite operator to take advantage of the
new and much more capable Spacebus 3000A platform. This
platform was designed to pack 22 C-band transponders plus
included a young Saudi prince acting as the mission’s 12 Ku-band transponders. Each of these densely-packed
payload specialist. The Saudi prince was of course none birds weighed over two metric tons on station.
other than Prince Sultan bin Salman, son of the governor
of Riyadh, grandson of the Kingdom’s founder, and the In July 1996, Arabsat 2A finally blasted into space from
first Arab astronaut in space. As the mission’s payload the Guiana Space Center on an Ariane 4 launch vehicle,
specialist, Prince Sultan did the honor of launching then opening a new era for Arab satellite services. The new
deploying Arabsat’s second satellite into orbit, a historic Arabsat 2A offered enhanced Direct-to-Home television
event which continues to inspire young Arabs to this day. services and capability for creating private networks for
voice and data using Very Small Aperture Terminals or
Arabsat 1B remained in operation for all its 7-year design VSAT. VSATs use satellites to connect a mesh of small
life, dramatically transforming broadcast and remote earth stations or terminals, usually for point-of-
telecommunications services in the Arab world. It was sale transactions such as credit card transactions,
soon followed by yet another and third satellite in the broadband data for remote locations or communications
series, Arabsat 1C, which was launched aboard an Ariane on the move such as maritime communications.
rocket in February 1992.
Arabsat 2B was initially intended as a ground spare. But
By then, demand for Arabsat satellite services had grown with demand rising and to maintain its multi-satellite
significantly, mostly for video services. To meet excess network, Arabsat decided to launch Arabsat 2B on
demand and provide bridge capacity while Arabsat November 13, 1996 just as Arabsat 1C neared the end of
prepared to upgrade its fleet, Arabsat turned to Telesat its service life.
The Arabsat Journey | page 12

14. 1999
Arabsat 3A was launched on February 26, 1999 on an Ariane 4 rocket and joined Arabsat 2A in the
same orbital position, adding more capacity to its growing Arab neighborhood in the sky at 26º East
Arabsat’s second-generation satellites were vastly ahead of Arabsat 3A was launched on February 26, 1999 on an
their predecessors. To adapt to their new systems and Ariane 4 rocket and joined Arabsat 2A in the same orbital
enhanced capabilities, Arabsat’s ground control facilities in position, adding more capacity to its growing Arab
Saudi Arabia and Tunisia underwent significant upgrades. neighborhood in the sky at 26º East. On December 7,
By then, a new generation of highly-trained Arab engineers 2001, barely 3 years into its 13-year design life, disaster
had completely taken over the operations of Arabsat’s two struck. A short-circuit in the solar array mechanism
ground stations, hitherto run by foreign experts since stopped the flow of power from one of Arabsat 3A’s solar
January 1988. panels, cutting power by half to the rest of the satellite.
Eight of the 20 transponders on Arabsat 3A failed.
Arabsat: The Third Generation Ground controllers harnessed power from the remaining
solar panel, which was functioning normally, as well as
Even while preparing to launch Arabsat 2B, Arabsat was
from alternative power supplies, and reallocated
already making plans for even more capable satellites. On
frequencies to restore broadcast power to some of the
November 7, 1996, just a week before launching Arabsat
transponders. Arabsat also quickly moved to maintain
2B, Arabsat contracted Alcatel Space Industries to provide
capacity by acquiring two additional satellites which were
the first of two third-generation Arabsat satellites. These
already in orbit, Panamsat 5 and Hotbird 5. Panamsat 5
would be direct TV broadcast satellites with a design life of
was renamed as Arabsat 2C while Hotbird 5 was renamed
13 years, providing a powerful addition to Arabsat’s
as Arabsat 2D.
growing fleet and helping it meet its long-term needs.

15. The New Generation
of Arabsat Satellites
Arabsat: The Fourth Generation provide 28 active Ku-band channels. Both satellites were
based on the Astrium 2000+ platform with a launch mass of
In October 2003, Arabsat signed a contract with EADS
some 3.3 tons each and a 15-year design lifespan.
Astrium to build the fourth generation of Arabsat satel-
lites—Arabsat’s most capable generation of satellites yet. It
Badr 1, technically known as Arabsat 4A, lifted off two
was borne of a vision to ensure Arabsat’s continued
hours after midnight on February 28, 2006 atop a Proton-M
leadership by launching a new era of wider reach and
Breeze-M launch vehicle at the Baikonur space center in
unprecedented choice for broadcast, telecom and broadband
Russia. Shortly after lift-off, the satellite failed to reach its
operators in the region.
planned orbit. and several options were explored to rescue
the satellite. But on March 24, 2006, Arabsat finally
Arabsat prepared to meet this new era with a new and
declared the satellite lost and decided to deorbit it over the
modern image reflecting its leading-edge spirit and
Pacific Ocean.
pioneering heritage. Shedding its old logo, Arabsat launched
a new and modern graphic identity to accompany it into the
To quickly close the capacity gap, Arabsat successfully
future. It also chose a new name for its new generation of
launched another satellite—Badr 4, technically called Arabsat
satellites: Badr, literally “Full Moon” in Arabic.
4B—on November 8, 2006. The satellite was optimized as a
multi-purpose communications satellite with a vastly
Meanwhile, construction of Arabsat’s new Badr satellites
expanded footprint covering the Arab world and neighboring
was proceeding in earnest. As prime contractor, EADS
regions. Badr 4’s Ku-band payload offered enhanced capacity
Astrium designed and built the satellite and upgraded the
and unprecedented flexibility for direct-to-home, interactive
Arabsat ground control centers in Dirab in Saudi Arabia and
TV and Internet broadband services. It also came with
its backup control facility in Tunisia.
additional capacity to accommodate anticipated demand for
high-definition TV. This was a smart, forward-looking strategy
Badr 1, the first in the series, was designed to carry 24
which positioned Arabsat at the forefront of the emerging
active C-band channels and 16 active Ku-band channels.
HDTV market in the region, a position it continues to enjoy.
Badr 4, the second satellite in the series, was designed to
At the same time, Arabsat immediately ordered a replace-
The Arabsat Journey | page 14

16. 2006
The fourth generation of Arabsat satellites—Arabsat’s most capable generation
of satellites yet—launched a new era of wider reach and unprecedented choice
for broadcast, telecom and broadband operators across the Arab world

17. ment for the lost Badr 1 spacecraft from Astrium. But even Arabsat: The Fifth Generation
while the order was being placed, Arabsat was already
laying down plans for a fifth-generation of Arabsat satellites Already far and away the leading satellite operator in the Arab
which were to be called Badr 5. For this reason, the world, Arabsat nevertheless stayed committed to staying
replacement satellite skipped the “5” designation and was ahead of demand and emerging trends. Thus, even with the
dubbed Badr 6. It became the third satellite in Arabsat’s youngest fleet of state-of-the-art satellites in the heavens—and
4th-generation series. long before Badr 6 left the ground—Arabsat was already
planning for yet more capable additions to its fleet. These new
Badr 6 was successfully launched from the Guiana Space satellites would be called Arabsat’s fifth generation, and on
Center on July 6, 2008 using an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle June 16, 2007, Arabsat signed a contract with EADS Astrium
and immediately joined the Arabsat fleet at the 26º East and Thales Alenia Space to start building them.
geostationary orbital position. Its main communications
payload was integrated on a Eurostar E2000+ platform with The fifth generation of Arabsat satellites are already in
20 Ku-band/BSS transponders for broadcast services plus 24 various stages of assembly and will be launched at a rate of
C-band transponders offering an extended range of telecom- one satellite a year starting from late 2009 to 2010. As the
munications services. On August 7, 2008, after successfully leading partner, Astrium is supplying the platforms and will
passing all tests, Badr 6 was officially handed over to integrate the satellites. Thales Alenia Space will design and
Arabsat. build the communications payloads.
The Arabsat Journey | page 16

18. expected boom of HDTV and, thanks to its Ka-band
capacity, the development of sophisticated interactive
services in the rapidly expanding Arabsat world.
Yet a third fifth generation satellite is already in the works.
A contract to build the new satellite was signed in February
4, 2009, with launch planned for late 2011. It has been
designated as Arabsat 5C and will add a third orbital
position in the sky for Arabsat at 20º East of the geostation-
ary orbit. Arabsat 5C will share the same platform as its first
two cousins in the fifth generation series which were
designed as Eurostar E3000 models. It will provide
expanded capacity with 26 active C-band and 12 Ka-band
transponders, and comes with a service lifespan in excess of
To manage the extended Arabsat fleet and take advantage of
15 years.
the new systems on board, the team will also upgrade
Arabsat’s ground control facilities in Saudi Arabia and Tuni-
Even as Arabsat’s fifth generation satellites are being
sia, the third time that Arabsat’s ground control facilities
prepared for their journey into space, Arabsat is already
have been modernized to keep up with the latest technology.
planning for more new-generation satellites to expand its
constellation in the skies. In February 4, 2009, Arabsat also
The first satellite in the series is intended as a replacement
appointed the consortium of Astrium and Thales Alenia
for Arabsat 2B at 30.5º East and will thus follow its naming
Space to build yet another Arabsat satellite planned for a
scheme: Arabsat 5A. Weighing in at almost 5 tons, the
2012 launch, a year after the launch of Arabsat 5C. The new
multi-purpose satellite will provide additional capacity for a
satellite, the first of Arabsat’s 6th Generation satellite and to
wide range of communications services. It is based on a
be named Badr 7, will join Arabsat’s constellation of direct-
Eurostar E3000 platform with a 15-year service lifetime.
to-home Badr satellites at its 26º East video hotspot, vastly
Packed with 16 active C-band transponders and 24 Ku-band
extending in-orbit capacity for Arabsat not only in the Arab
transponders, Arabsat 5A will significantly boost Arabsat
world but also far beyond into Europe and Asia, now part of
capacity to provide a wide range of satellite communica-
the growing Arabsat neighborhood in the sky.
tions services from TV broadcasts and telephony to business
communications, Internet trunking, VSAT and other
interactive services over an area which now covers the
Middle East and all of Africa—and beyond.
The second satellite in the series will join Arabsat’s fleet of
direct-to-home Badr satellites at 26º East and will sport the
name Badr 5. Also a Eurostar E3000 model, Badr 5
(technically known as Arabsat 5B) will be heavier than
Arabsat 5A at almost 5.5 tons and is designed with a 15-
year service lifetime. Equipped with 56 active transponders
2012
in Ku-Band and Ka-band, Badr 5 will primarily provide full As Arabsat’s fifth generation satellites are
in-orbit backup capacity for Badr 4 and Badr 6 television being readied for launch, Arabsat is already
services. Complementary missions include supporting the planning for more new-generation satellites

19. Profiting From Space:
A Role Model for Arab
Collaboration
Arabsat’s phenomenal success through the years has established formula: 5 from member countries with the
become a role model for Arab collaboration. Fraught with highest stakeholding in the company, 2 from member
early challenges, burdened by early losses and hobbled by countries which posted the highest usage during the
the loss of two satellites, Arabsat has nevertheless previous year and 2 board members from countries which
mustered remarkable resilience, strategic foresight and best met their financial obligations. The Board of
faith in its vision to overcome every obstacle and emerge Directors meet up to four times each year.
as a modern success story.
Finally, to handle the operational, administrative,
Established as an intergovernment organization in 1976 financial and technical management of the company,
by the countries of the Arab League, Arabsat represented Arabsat has a Management Committee headed by an
the common hopes and aspirations of the Arab world at Executive Director and assisted by a full team of highly
the birth of the space age. It is the collaborative efforts of qualified experts.
21 Arab League countries. The largest contributor is
Saudi Arabia at 36.66 percent. This is followed by Kuwait An Arab success story
(14.59 percent), Libya (11.28 percent), Qatar (9.81
Over the years, Arabsat has realized phenomenal profits
percent) and the U.A.E. (4.66 percent). Together, these
of 450% and has paid out dividends almost equal the
five largest contributors account for 77 percent of Arabsat.
original paid-up capital of Arabsat. But these profits did
not come the easy way. Over its 30-year existence,
Management Structure
Arabsat has faced serious challenges and endured initial
losses. During its first full decade of commercial
Arabsat is governed by three bodies composed of the
operations from 1977 to 1987, Arabsat posted an income
General Assembly, the Board of Directors and the
of US$10.5 million. However, suffering a satellite loss,
Management Committee. In April or May of each year,
the next 5 years saw its profits drop, hitting rock-bottom
Arabsat holds an annual General Assembly attended by
in 1992 with losses of US$44.7 million.
Arab telecommunications ministers representing member
countries. During the General Assembly, 9 members of
From 1993 to 1995, with its own Arabsat 1C satellite in
the Arabsat Board of Directors are selected based on a
The Arabsat Journey | page 18

20. 450% Profits
Over the years, Arabsat has realized phenomenal profits of 450% and
has paid out dividends almost equal its original paid-up capital

21. space joining a fleet of leased satellites over the Arab Inspired by its success and continued strong performance,
skies, Arabsat went back to profitability and posted a Arabsat member countries voted during its 31st General
US$10.4 million income. Since then, as Arabsat launched Assembly in 2008 to raise Arabsat’s paid-up capital to
newer and more capable generations of Arabsat satellites, US$500 million from US$163 million. This substantial
Arabsat has continued on a path of strong profitability, increase reflects the high confidence Arabsat has inspired
racking up a total of US$734 million in income from among its member countries and is an eloquent measure
1996 to 2007. In all, Arabsat has delivered returns equal of the success and continuing strength of this 30-year role
to 450% of its US$163 million capital. model for Arab collaboration.
The Arabsat Journey | page 20

23. R e v e n u e T a b l e s
The Arabsat Journey | page 22

24. Arabsat General Assembly through the Years
Year Country Round Host City
1978 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia First Taif
1979 Tunisia Second Tunisia
1980 Morocco Third Rabat
1981 Jordan Fourth Amman
1982 Yemen Fifth Sana’a
1983 Kuwait Sixeth Kuwait
1984 Jordan Seventh Amman
1985 Morocco Eight Rabat
1986 Algeria Nineth Algeria
1987 Libya Tenth Trippoli
1988 Syria Eleventh Damascus
1989 Oman Twelveth Muscat
1990 Algeria Therteenth Algeria
1991 Egypt Fourteenth Cairo
1992 Egypt Fifteenth Cairo
1993 Tunisia Sixteenth Tunisia
1994 Morocco Seventeenth Rabat
1995 Egypt Eighteenth Cairo
1996 Egypt Ninteenth Cairo
1997 Jordan Twentyth Amman
1998 Lebanon Twenty First Beirut
1999 Jordan Twenty Second Amman
2000 Qatar Twenty Third Doha
2001 Mauritania Twenty Fourth Nwakshot
2002 Qatar Twenty Fifth Doha
2003 Lebanon Twenty Sixeth Beirut
2004 Qatar Twenty Seventh Doha
2005 Morocco Twenty Eight Marrakech
2006 Oman Twenty Nineth Muscat
2007 Syria Thirtyth Damascus