Azerspace-2

Azerspace-2

Names	Intelsat 38
Mission type	Communications
Operator	Azercosmos Intelsat
COSPAR ID	2018-074A
SATCAT no.	43632
Mission duration	15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Azerspace-2
Spacecraft type	SSL 1300
Bus	LS 1300
Manufacturer	Space Systems/Loral[1]
Launch mass	3,500 kg (7,700 lb)
Power	13.7 kW
Start of mission
Launch date	26 September 2018, 02:38 GMT+4
Rocket	Ariane 5 ECA (VA243)
Launch site	Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	45° East
Transponders
Band	35 Ku-band transponders
Coverage area	Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Asia
Intelsat constellation

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. 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.