First Azerbaijani satellite launched

Ariane 5 ECA, a French rocket of Arianespace, has taken Azerbaijani satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a from ELA-3 of the Guyanais Spatial Center.

The satellite will stay on 46 degrees of east longitude, orbit rented from Measat Satellite Systems (Malaysia). It will be used for TV broadcasting, Internet connection, VSAT multi-service networks and communication with Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa.

The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation (USA) on the STAR-2 platform with 24 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band each with a frequency of 36 MHz. The satellite weighs 3275kg and will be exploited for 15 years. It was insured by Marsh (UK).

3 more satellites are planned to be launched.

Adapted from: Vestnik Kavkaza