Belarus and Azerbaijan are reportedly set to discuss partnering in satellite communications during an intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation early next year. The two countries have also been considering using low-orbit spacecraft to carry…
Belarus and Azerbaijan are reportedly set to discuss partnering in satellite communications during an intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation early next year.
The two countries have also been considering using low-orbit spacecraft to carry out joint scientific research, reported Belarus’ state-owned news agency BelTA.
Plans by Azerbaijani satellite operator Azercosmos to expand out of the Middle East recently saw it buy Airbus DS’ Caucasus-focused Earth observation satellite SPOT 7, renamed Azersky, for a reported €150m (US$184m).
The operator has been eager to increase its global presence since launching its first satellite, the US-built communications and broadcasting bird Azerspace-1, in February 2013.
Belarus is also a relative newcomer to the space industry. Its first satellite, the Russian-backed remote sensing bird BKA, was launched in mid-2012.
The country’s Belintersat satellite operator is meanwhile counting down to the launch of its debut communications and broadcasting spacecraft, Belintersat-1, in Q4 2015. That satellite is being built by China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), and is supported by the Export-Import Bank of China.
China has been very active in helping countries order their first satellites, and has been busy striking partnerships with existing players too.
Last week the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) secured a deal with Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, aimed at bolstering cooperation in satellite manufacturing and the construction of space infrastructure.
NARSS head Medhat Mokhtar was cited hailing the potential for cooperation in remote sensing and science.
It comes as Egypt’s local satellite operator Nilesat, whose inaugural bird was launched in 1998, looks to procure its latest DTH spacecraft, Nilesat 202.
Russia is also an active player in building new satellite markets. Notably, a delegation from its local operator RSCC met with CGWIC earlier this month to discuss potentially cooperating in building, launching and operating communications satellites.