10 years pass since launch of Azerbaijan's first satellite into orbit

Ten years have passed since the launch of Azerspace-1, the first telecommunication satellite of Azerbaijan, Report informs.

Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, it was launched by Ariane 5 into orbit on February 7, 2013, from Kourou in French Guiana.

The Azerspace-1 satellite weighing 6,521 kg is intended for broadcasting and providing telecommunication services, as well as providing high-quality and stable communication platforms that meet the requirements of corporate and government customers. About 100 television and radio channels are broadcast via satellite, serving over 180 customers in more than 40 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia.

The service life of Azerspace-1 is at least 17 years.

The satellite cost $ 230 million and was constructed by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

15% of the financing was provided from the state budget, and the rest through loans. Loans in the amount of $98 million were taken from the COFACE Export Credit Agency of France and $116.6 million US dollars from BNP Paribas bank with the guarantee of the US Export-Import Bank (US Ex-Im).