Azerbaijan eyes commissioning fourth satellite

Azerbaijan has started research in connection with the commissioning of the fourth satellite, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and High Technologies told Report.

The new studies of Azercosmos OJSC are connected with the possibility of launching a new remote sensing satellite.

The ministry noted that market research is underway to ensure the continuity of satellite services in the field of Earth observation.

“In recent years, the number of telecommunication and observation satellites has been rapidly growing worldwide, and their capabilities are expanding. This, in turn, allows Azerbaijan to more closely follow the trends of the modern space industry. Intensive work is underway to use the resources of the Azerspace-1, Azerspace-2, and Azersky satellites for more active commercial purposes,” the ministry added.

At the same time, market research is underway to ensure the continuity of Azerbaijan’s Earth observation satellite services. In this regard, Azercosmos OJSC is working on forming requirements for the new Azerbaijani system of remote sensing of the Earth.

At this stage, the operation of this system is considered in the form of a satellite constellation consisting of several small satellites. In parallel, as part of ongoing research, in connection with the launch of new satellites into orbit in Azerbaijan, there are plans to create a modern center for satellite integration and testing.

The capabilities of Azersky, a remote sensing satellite widely used in security and defense, gave Azerbaijan significant advantages both during the 44-day Patriotic War and in the post-war period, the ministry said in a statement.