Contract awarded to build Azerspace/Africasat-1a satellite
Orbital Sciences Corporation today announced that it has signed a contract with the International Relations and Accounting Center of The Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan to design, build and deliver the Azerspace/Africasat-1a commercial communications satellite.
The satellite will be based on Orbital’s STAR-2 platform and will generate approximately 5 kW of payload power for 36 active transponders. The Azerspace/Africasat-1a satellite will carry hybrid Ku and C-band payloads to provide services to Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe and Africa. Orbital will be responsible for providing the satellite and ground system.
Following its launch and deployment, the spacecraft will be located in geosynchronous orbit at 46 degrees East longitude through an arrangement between the Ministry and Measat of Malaysia, which owns the rights to the orbital slot. Upon completion of in-orbit testing, operational control of the satellite will be handed over to the Ministry, which will continue to operate the spacecraft from its control center in Baku.
Dr Ali Abbasov, Minister of Communications and Information Technology for the Republic of Azerbaijan, stated, “The Azerspace/Africasat-1a project is a keystone to the advancement and progress of Azerbaijan as we significantly expand our communications infrastructure within our borders and our connectivity to Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East.”
(Orbital)
|
