The Azerbaijani Ministry of Communications and Information
Technologies (MCIT) has signed a general contract on the construction
of the first Azerbaijani telecommunication satellite, AzerSpace. The
contract was signed by the director of the Center of International
Connections and Calculations of Jalil Jafarov and the vice-president
of Orbital Sciences Corporation (USA) Michale Larkin, Turan reports.
According to the contract, the satellite will be constructed within 26
months from the day of signing and in June-August 2012 it will be
launched into geostationary orbit.
The overall project expenses will reach $130 million ($68-69 in
satellite costs, $12.8 milion - the main and reserve control systems
of the satellite, $32 million - preparations and launch of the
carrier-rocket with the satellite, $14.4 million - 100% insurance).
