Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, June 29 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has received Thales Vice President Michel Ricard, Altin Asir said on Friday.
The sides exchanged the views on cooperation in the field of civil aviation. The implementation of the project on the Turkmen national satellite, planned to be launched in 2014 discussed in detail was discussed in details. The French company deals with this project.
President Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan is always open for equal and mutually beneficial cooperation and is ready for further development of productive partnership with all concerned parties.
He said that the country gambles on the introduction of advanced scientific and technological achievements. Thales company succeeded in this.
According to the contract, in December 2011, Thales Alenia Space began to build the Turkmen first national satellite. Space Systems International-Monaco SAM agreed to ensure lease of the orbital point. Thales will also assist around the clock in managing the satellite
during 15 years and preparing qualified specialists.
Thales Alenia Space is one of the leaders in the world leading space industry, part of the so-called European "Space Alliance". Having a network of large companies in France, Italy, Belgium and Spain, the company specializes in manufacturing of satellites for various
purposes, and equipment for them. It has proved itself as a leader in the field of space communications, earth remote sensing, navigation.
This is the first satellite in the region to be launched by Turkmenistan. It will make a significant breakthrough in the field of telecommunications, communications and other applications, such as the Internet and mobile communications.
The National Space Agency created under the Turkmen President will control the Earth's orbit, to establish satellite communications, to research outer space, as well as to manage artificial satellite from the territory of Turkmenistan.
According to some estimates, Turkmenistan's astroclimatic conditions are among the best in the world for holding astronomical observations.
In particular, the transparency of the atmosphere, favorable wind conditions, illumination allow observing cosmic objects more than two hours during the year.
There is an observatory on the mountain Dushak in Turkmenistan. The observatory has a meter telescope and other equipment which need modernizing.
An artificial satellite may be used to resolve the tasks of the national economy of the country. In particular, it will be possible to monitor the agricultural areas, to conduct research for the needs of the oil and gas complex, to carry out environmental monitoring from space.