MTCHT

Date:13/02/13

Rashad Nabiyev: “‘Azerspace-1’ telecommunication satellite continues to carry out successfully its initial in-orbit operations according to the schedule’

"Immediately after ‘Azerspace-1’ telecommunication satellite had been launched on 8 February 2013 from the Kourou spaceport and placed into the assigned geostationary transition orbit, the work of all satellite’s systems was checked up and their operability was confirmed.

At present, the satellite continues to carry out successfully its initial in-orbit operations according to the schedule. Satellite’s engine has been successfully used several times to move it along the orbit," said the chairman of Azerkosmos OJSC Rashad Nabiyev in a statement he delivered at a press-conference that was held at the "Azerkosmos" Open Joint Stock Company of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

"All data received from the satellite is traced by the main and back-up ground satellite control centers in Azerbaijan and a number of other stations in the world. Upon the completion of in-orbit trials of the satellite late in March, the control over the satellite will be handed over entirely to Azerkosmos OJSC and will be executed independently by Azerkosmos’ experts.

"Azerspace-1" satellite, distinguished by its superior reliability, was manufactured by the US-based "Orbital Sciences" corporation and was carried into orbit by "Ariane-5" carrier rocket. The launch of "Azerspace-1" was the 54th successful launch of a satellite with the use of "Ariane-5" carrier rocket performed sequentially by the French "Arianespace" company since 2002. The "Azerspace-1" satellite has been assembled on the basis of the STAR-2 satellite platform developed by "Orbital Sciences" and successfully operating on 22 artificial satellites now.

"Azerspace-1" satellite, weighing nearly 3.2 tons and equipped with a payload of 36 active transponders, will be positioned in the geostationary orbit at 46 degrees East and will cover the regions of Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus and the Middle East. The "Azerspace-1" satellite, which will operate in orbit for at least 15 years, is intended to provide broadcasting and telecommunication services via platforms for high-quality and reliable communication meeting the requirements of corporate and government clients. Twenty per cent of the satellite’s resources will be used to meet the needs of Azerbaijan, while the remaining 80 per cent will be exported to the world market. Conditional contracts for the sale of 40 per cent of the satellite’s resources have already been signed.

Using the technological design and extensive connectivity of the "Azerspace-1" satellite, millions of people in the geographical area covering almost a third of the planet will be able to comfortably use modern information and communication services. Our first satellite will play an important economic role on an area covering more than 50 countries around the world. The launch of Azerbaijan’s first telecommunication satellite into orbit is a significant step towards facilitating the diversification of the country’s economy, ensuring freedom and information security, promoting the development of the space industry in Azerbaijan and accelerating the integration of the Republic into the international space community.

At the same time, it is a very profitable commercial project. Remarkably, 40 percent of the satellite’s capacity had already been leased out before the launch. Bear in mind that an insurance agreement was concluded to protect the "Azerspace-1" satellite against all possible risks associated with its launch and operation in orbit. Insurance payments made by Azerkosmos OJSC, based on this agreement, will guarantee the successful implementation of the Azerspace project."