Arianespace obits Azeri, Spanish satellitesFebruary 8, 2013 - 09:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Arianespace has successfully launched two telecommunications satellites from French Guiana, the French space transportation company has reported, according to RIA Novosti. The Ariane 5 launch orbited the Amazonas 3 and Azerspace/Africasat-1a telecommunications platforms, delivering a total calculated mass of 10,317 kilograms into geostationary transfer orbit, according to Arianespace. The mass included 9,503 kg for the two spacecraft, along with the dispenser system and integration hardware in Ariane 5’s dual payload “stack.” Amazonas 3 was orbited for Spanish operator Hispasat, and Azerspace/Africasat-1a for Azerbaijani operator Azercosmos and the Azerbaijani Communications Ministry. The Spanish satellite was produced by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California, and is to operate from a 61 deg. West longitude orbital slot. It is equipped with 33 Ku-band and 19 C-band transponders, along with nine Ka-band spot beams. Amazonas 3 is expected to provide telecommunications relay services, including direct-to-home television (DTH), corporate fixed and mobile telephone networks, and broadband capacity with coverage across the Americas, Europe, and North Africa, Arianespace said. Azerspace/Africasat-1a was Azerbaijan’s first national satellite launched by Arianespace. The comsat has 24 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders for communications coverage over Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe and Africa from an orbital location of 46 deg. East longitude. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. Second round of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks set for May 11 The second round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take place on May 11. |