Article Posted on : - Nov 08, 2010

A file photo of Ariane 5 launch site.

EVRY (BNS): The Republic of Azerbaijan has signed a launch Service & Solutions contract with Arianespace to launch the country's fist communications satellite.

The International Relations and Accounting Center of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan (or IRAACOTMCAITOTROA) is planning to launch the satellite via an Ariane 5 rocket, from Arianespace's Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana by the end of 2012.

Weighing approximately 3000 kg at launch, the satellite will be boosted into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket.

The satellite, fitted with 36 active Ku- and C-band transponders, will be built by Orbital Sciences Corporation of the United States, using a STAR-2 platform. It will deliver a wide range of communications services for all of Azerbaijan, as well as Central Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"Arianespace is especially proud of this opportunity to serve the Republic of Azerbaijan, and to contribute to the expansion of communications services," Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, was quoted as saying in the company news release.