Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 6 / Trend, H.Valiyev /
The Orbital Sciences Corporation started manufacturing Azerbaijan's telecommunications satellite this week. Azerbaijani Communications and IT Minister Ali Abbasov announced the news while speaking at the on the Third International Cybernetics and Informatics Problems Conference in Baku.
The International Telecommunications Union has already allocated a spot for the Azerspace satellite at 23.2 and 95.9 degrees east.
The ITU added Azerbaijan to the list of countries, whose satellites will also be located at the above positions. A priority issue for the Azerbaijani government is now to negotiate the positions of 43.2, 58.5 and 95.9 degrees east to ensure that subscribers do not face any problems with their satellite coverage in the future.
Earlier, the ministry signed a long-term contract on leasing an orbital position for Azerspace with the Malaysian MEASAT satellite operator.
Azerspace will provide digital broadcasting, Internet access, data transmission, VSAT multi-service networks, and governmental communications.
The satellite will be equipped with 24 transponders C band and 12 transponders Ku band. It will be placed in orbit at 46 degrees east longitude. The satellite's term is 20 years. Its service area will cover Europe, Central Asia and Africa.
Azerbaijan's capital investment in the project is roughly 319 million manat; 127 million will be spent on operating costs. The payback period is six years, and the income will reach 176 million manat.
The income from Azerspace will reach 495 million manat.
The received revenue will be spent on the country's technological development.
"Azerspace is expected to launch in July-August 2012, after which it is planned to launch the following project, and eventually several satellites," the minister said earlier.