The first national artificial telecommunication satellite of Azerbaijan Azerspace-1 will take its place in the orbit on February 15.
The satellite will be placed in the orbit within 46 degrees east longitude.
Chairman of Azercosmos OJSC Rashad Nebiyev says that in the first half of March, Azerspace-1 will be totally handed over to Azercosmos: ‘And active clients will be started to involve after March 15. There is big interest’.
Remind that, Made by U.S. Orbital Sciences Corporation based on flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform, Azerspace-1 blasted off aboard French Ariane 5 rocket. With an anticipated service life of 15 years, Azerspace/Africasat-1a is based on Orbital`s flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform. The hybrid C- and Ku-band satellite will generate approximately five kilowatts of payload power and carry 36 active transponders, providing communications services to Azerbaijan, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Azerspace/Africasat-1a will operate from an orbital location at 46 degrees East longitude through an arrangement between Azercosmos and MEASAT Satellite Systems of Malaysia, which owns the rights to the orbital slot.
Some 20% of the satellite’s resources will be used for Azerbaijan’s needs, and the remaining 80% will be available for commercial purposes.
In 2015 and 2016 two more satellites will be put into orbit, and Azerbaijan will have wonderful opportunities for developing its space industry.
APA