Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3
Trend:
Azerbaijan and Turkey are discussing the possibility of joint production of satellites, Turkish Minister of Science, Technology and Industry Fikri Isik told reporters in Baku Dec. 3.
"In this regard, research is planned to be conducted," he said. "We believe that new projects in this area can be implemented through joint efforts."
"This issue is being discussed," he said.
Fikri congratulated Azerbaijan on the second satellite use and the country's achievements in this area.
Azerbaijan has obtained control over SPOT 7 low-orbit satellite, placed in orbit in June 2014 as part of the strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in the space industry.
The satellite, to be called Azersky, was transferred for Azerbaijan's control on the basis of the agreement signed between Azercosmos OJC and France's Airbus Defence and Space as part of the Bakutel-2014 exhibition on December 2.
Under the agreement, Azersky and SPOT 6 satellites, owned by the French company, will be shared to provide better services. Azersky and SPOT 6 are capable to carry out daily survey of the surface patches of the Earth with a total area of 6 million square kilometers, which is 10 times the size of France. The resolution of the obtained images will amount to 1.5 meters.
In addition, a ground rig, which will allow Pleiades 1A and Pleiades 1B satellites, which belong to Azercosmos OJC, to photograph the surface of the earth with a resolution of 0.5 meters, will be built in Azerbaijan.
SPOT 6 remote sensing satellite was launched September 9, 2012, and Azersky (SPOT 7) - June 30, 2014. Azercosmos OJC and Airbus Defence and Space signed a memorandum of understanding in May 2014.
Azercosmos OJC was created in accordance with the order of the president of Azerbaijan on May 3, 2010 for the launch of the telecommunications satellite into orbit, management and implementation of operational work. The OJC shares are state-owned.
The first Azerbaijani Azerspace / Africasat-1a telecommunication satellite was launched on February 8, 2013. The satellite is located at the orbital position of 46 degrees east longitude.
Satellite operator of Azerbaijan renders services of digital television, data transmission, creation of VSAT multiservice networks and provision of government communication via the use of Azerspace / Africasat-1a telecommunication satellite. The service area of Azerspace / Africasat-1a includes the countries of Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.