(Telecompaper) UAE-based satellite operator Yahsat announced that it has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the Al Yah 3 spacecraft and payload. Al Yah 3, which is based on Orbital's GEOStar-3 platform, is an all-Ka satellite to be designed, manufactured and tested at Orbital's satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia. The PDR validated Orbital's design approach to the physical and functional requirements of the spacecraft. The review is the first step toward confirming that the satellite will operate effectively on orbit. Once operational, Al Yah 3 will enable the delivery of affordable broadband to over 600 million users, covering more than 95 percent of the population in Brazil and 60 percent of the population in Africa.