Country decisive to subdue “Space Olympus”
Despite only two years pass of Azerbaijan's ceremonial launching of its first national satellite Azerspace-1, the government assures it has justified expectations.
Launching of the first Azerbaijan telecommunication satellite Azerspace-1 justified its economical expediency, said Deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Elmir Velizade said to journalists on June 30.
Azerspace-1 took his place on the global market of satellite systems. Currently a whole bunch of countries use its resources and their number increases rapidly, he added.
Everything began in 2008 when Azerbaijan that strives to evolve each existing industry, decided to subdue "Space Olympus". Satellite launched with collaborative efforts of the U.S., France and Guiana on February 7, 2013. Its always incredible to see the flying through the sky rocket like a firework. The same view was observed on that day when French rocket Ariane-5 with an Azerspace-1 inside of it launched into orbit from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana at orbital position of 46 degrees east. It provides services in Europe, Africa, Middle Asia, Caucasus and Middle East.
The satellite has an anticipated life service of 15 years. Just for June-July of 2013 satellite's profit consisted of US$ 5 million. According to plan its overall income should be US$ 600 million through the whole period of its service.
"Satellite proved its significance during the First European Games held in Azerbaijan. Azerspace 1 is one of four satellites that got a right to broadcast contests. Being a dish fit for Gods Azerspace-1 compete at the same level with the world satellite operator systems acting as the first achievement of national satellite system. Moreover, after we launch the second satellite, their activity will become more effective," said Velizade.
Currently Azerbaijan is constructing the second telecommunication satellite Azerspace-2 which will launch into orbit in 2017.
Azercosmos and Arianespace signed a contract for the launch of Azerspace-2 on December 2, 2015. As its previous fellow, Azerspace-2 will launch by French Ariane-5 rocket from the Kourou spaceport at orbital position of 45 degrees east. Despite first satellite was built by the U.S. company Orbital Sciences Corporation, Azerspace-2 rented from Intelsat (the world's leading provider of satellite services). In its turn Intelsat will rent 45.9 percent of satellite resources. The second satellite program will be funded by long-term and preferential credit line of the Canadian credit-export agency Export Development Canada (EDC).
The service area of new satellite will cover Europe, Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Geostationary satellite aims at providing digital broadcasting services, access to Internet, creation of multi-service networks VSAT( a very-small-aperture-terminal) and it will satisfy escalating demand in DTH( Direct-to-home television is a method of receiving satellite television by signals transmitted from direct-broadcast satellites) and etc.