Tender on low-orbital satellite annulled
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijani space agency Azercosmos reported that the results of the previously announced tender for construction of low-orbital satellite in Azerbaijan were revoked.
According to the company, the reason is in higher demands for certain technical parameters of the satellite.
Launch of the low-orbit satellites is scheduled for 2015.
The Agency conducted a study on the low-orbit satellites benefits for domestic and foreign markets.
The satellite operator is preparing a business plan on the possibilities of application and usage of the space radar and optical images, both in Azerbaijan and in the regional markets.
Azercosmos regularly negotiates with structures that could be potential buyers of satellite images. Ongoing negotiations are only informative, and designed to create a fertile ground for future cooperation.
Currently, Azercosmos is working to establish a cross-functional earth station, which will also be used to receive satellite images from other satellites flying over the region. Works on the station are expected to be finished by the end of 2013.
The main purpose of constructing the ground station is to receive terrestrial images of infrastructure from different satellites (optical and radar) in real-time.
The opportunities of the station will include monitoring of the state borders, detecting of environmental pollution, monitoring of oil and gas industry wastes, meteorological forecast and predictions of climate change, etc.