Abu Dhabi, April 23 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates Saturday successfully launched its communications satellite from the European Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

 
 An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the satellite lifted off at 1.37 a.m.
 
 "I would like to express my pride and gratitude during this moment of achievement," said Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat, a satellite communications company.
 
 Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, chairman of Yahsat, said: "The successful launch of Y1A is a tremendous step forward in delivering an advanced technology and communications offering based here in Abu Dhabi."
 
 Over the next few days, Y1A will undertake a series of maneuvers before arriving at its final point of operation, 52.5 degrees east, above the UAE. After arriving in that position, control of the satellite will be managed by a team of UAE-national satellite engineers based out of the Yahsat control station in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi.
 
 Yahsat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company. Yahsat has commissioned two satellites to manage the expanding requirements for government, commercial and consumer satellite communication services.