Azerspace-2

Azerspace-2
NamesIntelsat 38
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorAzercosmos
Intelsat
COSPAR ID2018-074A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.43632
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftAzerspace-2
Spacecraft typeSSL 1300
BusLS 1300
ManufacturerSpace Systems/Loral[1]
Launch mass3,500 kg (7,700 lb)
Power13.7 kW
Start of mission
Launch date26 September 2018,
02:38 GMT+4
RocketAriane 5 ECA (VA243)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude45° East
Transponders
Band35 Ku-band transponders
Coverage areaCentral Europe, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Asia

Azerspace-2, also known as Intelsat 38, is Azerbaijan's second telecommunications satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, California and managed by Azercosmos and Intelsat.[2]

History

A strategic agreement was signed between the Intelsat S.A., and Azercosmos OJSCo. (Azercosmos Open Joint Stock Company), Azerbaijan's national satellite operator, on the 45° East orbital location in February 2015. Both companies collaborated on the development of the Azerpsace-2 satellite.[3] The purchase of Azerspace-2 is carried out mainly at the expense of a preferential loan from the Canadian credit and export agency Export Development Canada.

Launch

Azerpsace-2 satellite was launched into orbit on 26 September 2018 at 02:38 GMT+4 from the centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana. It separated from the upper rocket stage and operated in test mode for the first two months. Then the satellite was transferred to a working orbit. Azerspace-2 has been designed in order to help Azercosmos to expand its service area. It renders uninterrupted service across Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. The new satellite will provide continuity of service for the Intelsat 12 satellite.

Satellite description

Azerspace-2 will provide digital broadcasting, data transmission and other services. The satellite will support the direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasting, contributing to the emergence of DTH operators in Azerbaijan.[4][5] It has an anticipated service life of 15 years.[6]

Orbit longitude

The satellite was placed into geostationary orbit at 45° East longitude, and will serve the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia,[7] also serving as a backup to Azerspace-1.[6]

Commercialization

According to Azercosmos, 46% of the satellite's unladen capacity has been sold.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ "Azerbaijan designs Azerspace-2 telecommunication satellite". Azer News. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Azerspace 2". Satbeams. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Intelsat and Azercosmos Partner to Deliver New Satellite at 45 Degrees East". Business Wire. 17 February 2015.
  4. ^ "İlham Əliyev: "Azerspace-2"nin orbitə çıxarılması Azərbaycanda kosmik sənayenin inkişafında yeni mərhələnin təməlini qoyacaq". az.trend.az (in Azerbaijani). 29 November 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Azerbaijan Upgrades Telecommunications Infrastructure, Set To Launch Azerspace-2". caspiannews.com. Caspian News. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b Hasanov, Bakhtiyar (11 January 2018). "Azercosmos: Azerspace-2 satellite to be launched in April". CBC Azerbaijan. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Azerbaijan constructing second telecommunication satellite". azernews.az. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  8. ^ ""Azerspace-2" peyki orbitə çıxarılacaq". Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Azerspace-2 to sign contract with manufacturer soon". azernews.az. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2021.