Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14
By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend:
Argentina and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies told Trend on March 14.
The agreement was signed by Azerbaijani Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ali Abbasov and Argentine's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Lino Barañao, the ministry said.
Azerbaijan became a permanent member of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in January 2012. Previously the country held observer status.
The purpose of the agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Argentina is to create a legal framework for bilateral cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, including space communication, research and staff training.
"Argentina has a great interest and expresses its intention to be represented in the projects implemented in Azerbaijan in the field of satellite communication," the ministry said. "The opportunities that Argentina can offer to Azerbaijan in the space sphere and Azerbaijan's interest therein will be discussed. The signed document will be the basis for future cooperation between the two countries in this field."
Earlier, Argentinian company INVAP SE offered the Azerbaijani Azercosmos company cooperation in the space area. Preliminary talks were held in early 2013.
INVAP S.E. management expressed its willingness to cooperate with Azercosmos in the space sphere, the implementation of joint projects and exchange of experience and staff training in this area.
INVAP S.E. is implementing high-tech projects in the nuclear, aerospace, energy and medical areas. The company supplies equipment to more than 30 countries worldwide. There are overseas offices and subsidiaries of the company in Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Egypt and the U.S.
The representatives of some countries are interested in the technical parameters of Azerspace-1 first telecommunication satellite and show interest in the use of its resources in the future.
The Azerbaijani first telecommunication satellite Azerspace-1 was launched on February 8, 2013. The satellite is intended for rendering the services of digital TV, data transmission, creation of the multi-service VSAT networks and ensuring governmental communication. The zone of the Azerspace-1 coverage includes the countries of Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The second Azerbaijan Azerspace-2 telecommunication satellite is planned to be launched in 2017. This will also be designed for rendering a digital TV and radio broadcasting service, access to the Internet, data transmission and the creation of VSAT multi-service networks.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM