Space Systems Loral to Build Azercosmos Satellite

Space Systems Loral (SSL), which is a leading provider of commercial satellites, announced an agreement with Azercosmos of Azerbaijan to manufacture the new Azerspace-2 telecommunications satellite. SSL earned the new contract after beating out a number of other satellite manufacturers including Airbus Defense and Space of Europe, the Great Wall of China Industry Corp., and Orbital ATK. As per an agreement signed with Intelsat, the industry leader in providing satellite services, the new Azercosmos satellite will be located 45 degrees east orbital location. This placement is ideal for providing satellite services to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Azerspace-2 will expand the capabilities of the existing Azerspace-1 satellite and provide support for growing demand government, DTH, and network services.

Azercosmos chairman Rashad Nabiyev had the following to say about the new project:

This new satellite will provide Azercosmos with additional capacity for the increasing demand in the region, and will allow us to continue to bring the best service to our customers.

The Azerspace-2 satellite will be manufactured based on the SSL 1300 Series Satellite platform. Initially released in the 1980s, the SSL 1300 series has been in constant evolutionary development to provide greater power, flexibility and mission life with each iteration. Each 1300 Series Satellite has a power capability ranging from 5 – 25 KW and can support anywhere from 12 to 150 transponders. Other features found within the 1300 Series include light-weight high strength structures, efficient solar arrays and batteries, advanced command subsystems, and fuel-efficient altitude and station keeping subsystems.

Intelsat will also use Azerspace-2 to complement its existing array of satellite systems and further bolster their serve capabilities. In Intelsat’s system, Azerspace-2 will be known as Intersat 38. With input from SSL, Azercosmos and Intelsat, Azerspace-2 is a prime example of the collaboration taking place across today’s satellite industry.

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