Qatar’s Es’hailSat 2 satellite will provide the first Amateur Radio geostationary communication capability linking Brazil and India. The satellite, expected to launch by the end of 2016, will carry two “Phase 4” Amateur Radio transponders and will be positioned at 26° E. It will also carry Ku and Ka band capabilities for television, government, and commercial content distribution.

AMSAT-DL is providing technical support to the project. AMSAT-DL President Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, said the satellite’s footprint will cover Europe, Africa, and parts of Brazil and Asia but not North America. “Basically the same position as Es'HailSat-1,” Guelzow said. “Perhaps we will find another one willing to sponsor a position more in the West.” AMSAT-DL plans to publish additional details on the satellite’s technical characteristics in the next month. The Qatar Amateur Radio Society and Qatar Satellite Company are cooperating on the ham radio project.