Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 5 /Trend H. Valiyev/
The results of a tender on constructing and launching the Azerbaijani second satellite, which will be low-orbit, will be announced in the coming days, Azerbaijani Deputy Communications and IT Minister Iltimas Mammadov told media today.
The second satellite will be used for remote sensing of the Earth, mapping, geological studies, etc. It is expected to be launched in 2015.
"At present, specialists are discussing and evaluating the proposals in accordance with the law on "Tender," he said.
Azerbaijan's first telecommunication satellite will be delivered to the Kourou cosmodrome in late 2012 with its launch planned for early 2013.
The French Arianspace will place the satellite in orbit. The American Orbital Sciences Corporation is the manufacturer of the satellite and the orbital position will be 46 degrees eastern longitude where the satellite will be placed according to an agreement with the Malaysian operator MEASAT, which is shared.
The cost of the Azerbaijani first satellite program is estimated at $ 250 million.