Azerbaijan, Baku, 1 March / Trend corr. S.Babayeva / The preparations for launch of Azerbaijani national communication satellite (AzerSat) may be commissioned to the US companies, the Communication and IT Ministry of Azerbaijan reported. The satellite may be launched by the US as a result of negotiations with foreign specialists.
The developed communication satellite will be launched from Baykonur, Kazakhstan. Under the agreement with International Electric Communication Union AzerSat will be launched for 36,000 km height. The date for satellite exploitation is 20 years.
Azerbaijan will become a telecommunication operator after launch of satellite and local TVs would be broadcasted through one net and regional channels would have world outlet through t satellite. There are plans that some capacity of then satellite may be leased, particularly by Georgia. If the satellite covers Europe Azerbaijan may to become a transit country for broadcasting of European channels.
Cost of AzerSat makes up $80-100mln. The Ministry considers that the satellite may be launched in 2010.