Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 26 / Trend H. Valiyev /
Azerbaijan began studying strategic and commercial issues to prepare for the launch of a second satellite, a source close to the project told Trend on Monday.
He said that a decision on the future strategy of developing an Azerbaijani second satellite program is expected to soon be made.
Azerbaijan's plans for a second satellite, as the first telecommunications Azerspace satellite, include an open tender. The tender will be open to potential spacecraft manufacturers.
The second satellite will be low-orbit and used for remote sensing of the Earth and for mapping studies, geological research, etc. It can be placed into orbit in 2014.
The second satellite program is expected to be implemented by means of domestic Republic funds. The orbital position of 43.2 degrees east longitude is being considered for placing a satellite into orbit.
At present, the first satellite Azerspace is under construction. It will be launched in late 2012. Azerspace's manufacturer is Orbital Sciences Corporation. An orbital position of 46 degrees east longitude has been leased from the Malaysian satellite operator MEASAT. The French Arianspace will send the satellite into orbit.