Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, July 9 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Alladurdy Atayev has been appointed chairman of the National Space Agency under the President of Turkmenistan. Previously he was the rector of the National Energy Institute of the country, an official Turkmen source said on Monday.
The relevant decree was signed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. At the last government meeting, the president said that the dynamic development of the country's specific role is given to large scale projects in information and telecommunications.
The president said that among the main tasks assigned to the newly created National Space Agency under President of Turkmenistan is the launching into space of a national communications satellite which is designed to promote the development of space technology and modern telecommunications systems and the creation of regional innovation zones.
The decision to establish the agency was made in May last year. Berdimuhamedov in late June 2011 received the Vice-President of Thales, Michel Ricard. The meeting discussed the progress of a project entrusted to the French company to establish a national satellite of Turkmenistan, which is scheduled for launch in 2014.
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 management of 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 and 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.
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, favourable wind conditions, illumination allows 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.