Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

Azercosmos OJSC, the only satellite operator in Caucasus, has completed the first phase on the construction of the control center for Azerbaijan’s low-orbit satellite Azersky.

The work is being implemented in cooperation with French Airbus Defense and Space Company. A source told Trend that the center is already operational and its functionality allows to manage the satellite.

The second stage, which will cover technological infrastructure, is expected to be launched in 2017. The completion of the second stage will allow to increase a functionality of the control system.

One of the advantages of the center is the possibility to use resources of Pléiades 1A and 1B satellites (commercial rights belong to Airbus Defence and Space).

The satellites allow to survey the Earth surface with the dimension of 0.5 meters. Grouping of satellites will expand opportunities of distance survey and increase an efficiency of image acquisition. The grouping format is currently used in the exploitation of Azersky and SPOT 6 remote-sensing satellite (both manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space) to render high-quality service on remote sensing of the Earth.

The satellites allow to survey the area of 6 million square meters on a daily basis, while dimension of pictures is 1.5 meters.

Azersky was transferred to Azerbaijan based on an agreement inked between Azercosmos and Airbus Defense and Space inked on December 2, 2014 at the BakuTel exhibition.

Specialists of Airbus Defense and Space are also engaged in the construction of ground antenna system for Azersky, as well as holding of trainings on satellite management for employees of Azercosmos.

Income of the country from the operation of the AzerSky is expected to exceed $200 million within the next decade.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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