Azerbaijan wants another satellite
September 6, 2021
By Chris Forrester
Azerbaijan’s ministry of transport & communications has confirmed that the country wants another satellite. Azerbaijan already operates two satellites, Azerspace-1 and 2.
“Currently, intensive work is underway to use the resources of Azerspace-1, Azerspace-2, and Azersky satellites for more active commercial purposes,” local reports quote the ministry as saying. “At the same time, marketing research is being carried out to ensure the sustainability of Earth observation satellite services in our country. In this regard, Azercosmos is working to establish requirements for a new Earth observation system in Azerbaijan.”
Azercosmos is the only satellite operator in the South Caucasus region. The state-owned company currently operates two telecommunication and one observation satellite. Azerspace-1 is the primary satellite of Azercosmos, providing highly reliable broadband and broadcast solutions to millions of people living in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The satellite was launched in February 2013 and is equipped with 24 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders and is located at 46° East longitude.
In January-July 2021, Azercosmos exported satellite telecommunications services and optical satellite services worth $28.7 million to 31 countries. Revenues from the export generated 92 percent of the operator’s total income. In July 2021, 24 countries paid $6.7 million for the services of the Azerbaijani satellites.
The top buyers’ list in January-July 2021 includes the United States with $9.6 million, the UK with $5.8 million, France with $5.6 million, Malaysia with $3.7 million, and the UAE with $1 million.