Advanced Television

Spacecom wants greater contact with Ukraine

March 6, 2018

By Chris Forrester

According to local reports out of Kiev, Israel’s satellite operator Spacecom has held talks with the State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) with the intention of creating a Ukrainian satellite communications system to operate in a joint-venture with Spacecom.

Spacecom operates the Amos fleet of satellites.

The SSAU’s website says that the discussions on the status of the Ukrainian project were held between SSAU head Pavlo Dehtiarenko and David Pollack, CEO at Spacecom, in Kiev at the end of February.

“Israeli representatives expressed interest in a successful launch into orbit of the [Ukrainian] Lybid satellite and activating it with the aim of using it jointly,” the press announcement said.

The Ukraine is already backing the much-delayed Lybid satellite, under construction by MDA of Canada and Russia’s ISS Reshenev. The delays have come about because of the dispute between Ukraine and Russia over the annexation of the Crimea region by Russia. The Lybid satellite is financed by a $254 million loan from Export Development bank of Canada.

The satellite is now expected to launch later this year.

Categories: Articles, DTH/Satellite