Azerspace to stay in orbit longer

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The service life of the first Azerbaijani telecommunication satellite Azerspace-1a in the orbit has been extended to 17 years, Azercosmos, a satellite operator of Azerbaijan, reported.

The spacecraft’s manufacturer, the US-based Orbital Sciences Corp., indicated the satellite’s technical parameters presuppose its operation period in the orbit would last for 15 years.

“Thanks to the successful launch and effective management of the satellite over the past two years, the previously planned operation period was extended to 16.7 years,” the message read.

Azerspace/Africasat-1a was launched from the ELA-3 launch complex of the Guiana Space Centre on February 8, 2013, on the Ariane 5 ECA carrier rocket of the French company, Arianespace.

At present, the satellite is controlled by experts of the Azercosmos from the main and backup control centers.

The satellite’s payload consists of 36 transponders (24 C band and 12 Ku band transponders). The frequency band of each transponder is 36 MHz. The satellite weighs approximately 3,275 kilograms.

The service area of the Azerspace/Africasat-1a covers Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Azerbaijan’s telecommunications satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a is designed to render the digital broadcasting, Internet access, and data transmission services, as well as the creation of VSAT multiservice networks, and the provision of government communications.

Some 80 percent of the satellite's resources are available for commercial purposes. Currently, Azerspace-1 broadcasts cover 120 TV and Radio channels.

The TV content is available when satellite antennas configured with 11,169 MHz frequency, 20,400 speed, Horizontal and FEC - 5/6 polarization.

Baku is expected to earn $500-600 million by operating the satellite.

U.S., French companies to take part in Azerspace-2 project

The implementation of the project to run a second telecommunications satellite, Azerspace-2, will be implemented jointly with the American and French companies, said Ali Abbasov, Communications and High Technologies Minister on February 6.

Launching of the second satellite into orbit is scheduled for 2017 and work is now in progress in this direction, he said.

"The satellite program is being successfully implemented in Azerbaijan,” he said. “By the end of this year, the cost of the first satellite will pay for itself, and in subsequent years it will lead to profitability," Abbasov said.

The minister went on to add that the low-orbital satellite of Azerbaijan was conveyed to the Azerbaijani side in December 2014, but has already begun to generate revenue.

"Its resources are used by both foreign customers and locals and it is expected to reach profitability this year,” Abbasov added.