Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 19 / Trend, H. Valiyev /
The U.S. Orbital Sciences Corp. will transfer full control over the first national telecommunication satellite Azerspace-1 to "Azerkosmos" after tests, the company told Trend on Tuesday.
"Testing is expected to be completed by mid-March," the company said. "During this period Azerspace-1 will become fully operational."
The satellite took its orbital position at 46 degrees East and is being managed by specialists from the company via its main control center.
Azerspace/Africasat-1a was launched from the start complex ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre on Feb. 8.
The payload of Azerspace/Africasat-1, built on the STAR-2 platform, consists of 36 transponders (24 C-band transponders and a 12 Ku-band range). The frequency band of each transponder is 36 MHz. The satellite weights 3275 kg and its service life in orbit will reach up to 14 years.
The satellite will be launched into geostationary orbit at 46 degrees East longitude and is being leased from Malaysia's Measat Satellite Systems which is owned by the government of Malaysia. Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa will be included in the service area of Azerspace.
The Azerbaijani satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1 is designed to provide digital broadcasting, Internet access, data transmission and the creation of VSAT multiservice networks and governmental communications.