Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct.1 / Trend H. Veliyev /
A winner of a tender for launching the first Azerbaijani telecommunications satellite Azerspace into orbit will be announced next week, the Azerbaijan Communications and Information Technologies Ministry told Trend today.
At present, the Ministry has completed evaluation of proposals of companies producing carrier rockets. The Ministry reviewed proposals of four world-known companies ILS, Arianespace, SpaceX and Ukroboronservis.
Main characteristics of technical and technological solutions of the carrier rockets for launching spacecraft will be prepared within the project.
Azerspace is expected to launch in July-August 2012, after which it is planned to launch the following project, and eventually several satellites.
It will be placed in orbit at 46 degrees east longitude. Its service area will cover Europe, Central Asia and Africa.
It manufacturer is the U.S. Orbital Sciences Corporation.
Azerspace will provide digital broadcasting, Internet access, data transmission, VSAT multi-service networks, and governmental communications. The satellite will be equipped with 24 transponders C band and 12 transponders Ku band. The satellite's term is 20 years.
The satellite will be equipped with 24 transponders C band and 12 transponders Ku band. It will be placed in orbit at 46 degrees east longitude. The satellite's term is 20 years. Its service area will cover Europe, Central Asia and Africa.
Azerbaijan's capital investment in the project is roughly 319 million manat; 127 million will be spent on operating costs. The payback period is six years, and the income will reach 176 million manat.