Azerbaijan's TV channels to be broadcast through Azerspace satellite
By Gulgiz Dadashova
Azerbaijan's TV channels will soon be broadcast through the first Azerbaijani telecommunication satellite, Azerspace-1.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies, Nigar Madatli, said that the ministry has already carried out relevant preparations.
As earlier reported, US-based company Orbital Sciences Corporation passed on full control over Azerspace-1 to the national space agency Azercosmos. Tests of the satellite in the orbit have been completed.
Launched on February 8 through Ariane 5 ECA rocket carrier owned by the French Arianespace company from the ELA-3 launch facility at the Guiana Space Centre, Azerspace-1 was on trials until March.
The satellite will be controlled by the specialists of Azerkosmos from Main Home Ground Satellite Control Center near the capital Baku. An alternative ground control center is located in Nakhchivan.
The total value of the Azerspace-1 project is about $230 million, including expenses on the construction of ground control stations, staff training, insurance costs and launching.
According to the Azercosmos expectations, the satellite will fetch $500-600 million to the country's coffers in 15 years.
Launch of two more Azerbaijani satellites - a low-orbit satellite and another telecommunication satellite - is scheduled for 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Some 20 percent of the satellite's resources will be used for Azerbaijan's needs, and 80 percent will be available for commercial purposes.
The satellite exploitation term in the orbit will be up to 15 years. The satellite's services will cover Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa.
The satellite was designed to offer digital broadcasting services, Internet access, data transmission, and to create multiservice VSAT networks and provide for governmental communication.