Azerbaijan decides on second satellite manufacturer

He said that the name of the company which will deal with construction of the second satellite will be announced shortly. 

"The launch of the satellite is expected in late 2017 or early 2018,” the minister said. 

Companies from the United States (Orbital and Space Systems Loral), China (China Great Wall Industry Corporation) and France (Airbus Defence and Space) participate in the tender for the construction of the Azerspace-2 satellite and the supply of ground control center. 

Under the terms of the tender, work on the installation of a ground station equipment must be completed no later than 2017, and the ready satellite must be sent to the launch site before the end of 2017. 

The geostationary satellite will be equipped with transponders of Ku- and Ka-bands. 

Azerspace-2 is designed to provide digital broadcasting, Internet access, data transmission, creation of VSAT multiservice networks, and so on. 

The satellite will be placed at the orbital position of 45 degrees east longitude, leased by the Azerbaijani side from the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization Intelsat, which also acts like a lessee of 45.9 percent of satellite resources. The service area of Azerspace-2 will include the countries of Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa. 

The launch of the first Azerbaijani telecommunications satellite "Azerspace-1” was carried out February 8, 2013. 

The service area of the Azerspace/Africasat-1a covers the countries in Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa. 

Azerbaijan’s telecommunications satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a is designed to render the digital broadcasting, Internet access, and data transmission services, as well as the creation of VSAT multiservice networks, and the provision of government communications.