The Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technologies Ministry is in talks with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to establish an orbital position for a second telecoms satellite.
A spokesperson from state satellite operator…
The Azerbaijani Communications and Information Technologies Ministry is in talks with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to establish an orbital position for a second telecoms satellite.
A spokesperson from state satellite operator Azercosmos confirmed to SatelliteFinance that negotiations with the ITU were underway and that more precise information would be available in a few days.
Azerbaijan’s space plans continue to push forward, with work already commenced on Azercosmos’ second satellite, which will most likely be named Azerspace-2. It is too early to reveal specific details about its orbital position or launch date, said the spokesperson.
As part of a state programme to develop Azerbaijan’s space industry, Azercosmos is looking to launch a number of low earth orbit spacecraft in the next few years to survey the earth for security, scientific research, economical and other applications.
Azerbaijan’s first satellite, Azerspace-1, is expected to launch this quarter.
As SatelliteFinance previously reported, the US$250m spacecraft is being built by US-based Orbital Sciences and is due to be launched by Arianespace to 46E. This orbital slot is held by Malaysian operator Measat, and the two groups have signed an agreement to jointly develop the position.
Azercosmos was able to secure ECA financing for Azerspace-1 worth US$215m, with US Export-Import Bank backing a US$116.6m BNP Paribas loan for its construction, and France’s Coface guaranteeing a US$98m loan from Societe Generale and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation for the launch.
