2012 will be a significant year in the cosmic life of Azerbaijan, Minister of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan Ali Abbasov

The works on launch of Azerbaijan’s first artificial satellite are underway and this will be occurred at the end of 2012, said the Minister of Communication and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov.

“The preparatory works on launch of additional artificial satellite for observation of earth have been started and tender is expected to hold recently. May be, the works will be accelerated and second satellite will be launched in 2012, not in 2012”,

Minister said, that 80% of artificial satellite will be leased: “For purpose of risk reduction, 1 Mbit internet was considered for $350, while other countries gets $450-500. Profitability will be realized in full security”.

As it is well known investment in the project is expected to be paid back within 5-7 years after commissioning. Azerbaijan intends to use only 20% of satellite capacity, the rest - to rent. For example, Malaysia has proposed 40% of Azerbaijani satellite capabilities. National satellite will cover Europe (excluding Scandinavia), and half of Asia with the majority of Kazakhstan. The satellite will have on the transmission of television and radio broadcasting and the Internet.

Support for Azerbaijan in this project is provided by Silk Sat program, developed on the initiative of the Russian academician Ronald Sagdeev. The program provides the creation of a single satellite system by bringing the resources of the United States and Russia.

Main management centre of the satellite will be located in Gala settlement, a reserve centre will be on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

It worth to be noted, that the project is implemented by presidential decree ’On creation of space industry and placing telecommunications satellites into orbit’ . 

---