Azerbaijan put first communications satellite Azerspace-1 into orbit from the Guiana Space Center near Kourou in French Guiana February 8 at 01.35 Baku time.
The 3.2t-spacecraft is carried by Ariane 5 rocket, and separated from it 34 minutes after the launch.
Made by U.S. Orbital Sciences Corporation based on flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform, Azerspace-1 blasted off aboard French Ariane 5 rocket.
Azerbaijan`s first communications satellite will operate from an orbital location at 46 degrees East longitude through an arrangement between Azercosmos and MEASAT Satellite Systems of Malaysia, which owns the rights to the orbital slot, SIA reports.
Launch of Azerspace-1 satellite is watched in Malaysia
A special event has been organized at the headquarters of Malaysia`s Measat Satellite Systems (MEASAT) company in Kuala Lumpur for watching live the launch of Azerbaijan`s first communications satellite Azerspace-1.
Participants in the event include representative of Malaysia`s government, Azeri ambassador in Kuala Lumpur Tahir Karimov and embassy staffers, as well as senior officials of MEASAT.
MEASAT has been assisting Azercosmos in implementing the Azerspace-1 project, including the improvement of skills of technical staff and the exchange of space industry experience. MEASAT is also the major client to use the services offered by Azercosmos.
In 1992, in response to the Vision 2020 plan laid out by YA. Bhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed for the development of communications infrastructure for Malaysia for the new millennium, Binariang Sdn. Bhd. brought together a team of experienced and highly motivated experts to develop and launch Malaysia`s first communications satellite system. The project was named the Malaysia East Asia Satellite or MEASAT for short.
This effort culminated in the launch in 1996 of the MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 communications satellites from Europe`s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Operated from a purposed built satellite control facility located 915m above sea level in Gunung Raya, Langkawi, the MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2 satellites started providing satellite service across South East Asia from 1996.
Since the launch of the first two satellites, MEASAT has been supporting the development of Malaysia`s ICT infrastructure, while expanding its regional presence. Today MEASAT operates satellites providing reach to over 145 countries, representing 80% of the world`s population and hosts one of the region`s strongest DTH neighbourhoods.