Turkmenistan plans to launch second satellite
By Nigar Abbasova
Turkmenistan has finalized preparation of the technical assignment for the creation of its second national satellite, which is expected to perform remote sensing of earth. The creation of the second satellite is expected to open new opportunities for scientific researches aimed at using space for peaceful purposes.
TurkmenAlem 52E, Turkmenistan’s first telecommunications satellite, was launched on April 28, 2015, from Cape Canaveral (Florida, US). The satellite was brought to space by Falcon 9 v 1.1 carrier rocket and entered its orbital position on May 17. Following successful completion of all the tests, TurkmenAlem 52E was officially handed over to Turkmenistan for operation. The satellite has three antennas covering dozens of countries in Europe and Asia, as well as the Middle East and North Africa. The weight of the satellite, which was built by France-based aerospace firm Thales Alenia Space, is 9,920 lbs (4,500 kilograms).
The satellite is mainly used to broadcast national television and radio channels. The capacity of the satellite also provides for creating VSAT networks, transmitting data between ground stations located at a distance of several thousand kilometres, providing satellite broadband internet services, conducting distance learning, various video conferences, telemedicine services and other types of communication services.
The national policy of the country is aimed at a concentrated integration of Turkmenistan to the highly developed global community, as well as further expansion and diversification of the economy.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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