Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has discussed joint space research with the head of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), RIA Novosti reports.
Berdimuhamedov called space exploration a state priority and expressed interest in Chinese experience.
Turkmenistan plans to launch own satellite. It was developed by the National Spacve Agency in May 2011. A contract to design, build and launch the satellite was signed with Thales Alenia Space (France). A contract was signed with Space Systems International-Monaco S.A.M. to rent the orbit.
The satellite will be launched in late 2014 from the Sichan spaceport in the north-western part of China. It will weigh 4.5 tons and use the Changzeng 3B boosters for the launch. France and China signed a related deal in late 2011. The satellite will operate for 15 years.
