SpaceX sends Armenia's first satellite into orbit

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s first space satellite was launched into the Earth’s orbit on a SpaceX spacecraft from Cape Canaveral in the United States on Wednesday, May 25, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a Cabinet meeting on Thursday

The result was achieved thanks to cooperation between Armenian state-run company Geocosmos and the Spanish Satlantis.

"It's impossible to overestimate the significance of the move. With this Armenia is embarking into the era of space activities and we hope that our rich traditions in this area will be restored. I am speaking about the space scientific-production area which existed in Armenia for many years. In this context I’d like to stress that one of our priorities is the localization of space technologies in Armenia, as well as organization of space equipment production," Pashinyan said.

"In the near future, more specifically in 2022, by the end of 2023, a satellite control center-receiving station will be established in the Republic of Armenia, around which a scientific team of specialists will be formed. One of the main functions of the control center is to control the satellite and receive space photos. It is planned that the receiving station will provide satellite data transmission services also to other satellite operators."

Pashinyan said satellite photos will be used in Armenia for border control, emergency prevention and management, environmental protection, including climate change monitoring, urban planning, road construction, geology, and more.

"Space technologies - satellites, receiving stations, satellite-based scanning, video surveillance, communication systems - are considered to be one of the fastest growing industries in the world economy. Taking into account this circumstance, the Office of the Security Council and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry developed the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Space Activity" which was adopted by the National Assembly on March 6, 2020, which together with the relevant package of Government decisions sets the rules of space activity and technical regulations, as well as safety standards, licensing, issuance, management procedures. This legislative package provides tax benefits to licensed companies operating in the sector," Pashinyan said, reminding that on September 5-10 this year, Armenia will host the STARMUS VI festival.

"The event will be attended by astronauts from around the world, Nobel laureates, world-renowned scientists, astrophysicists, artists and musicians. Armenia will have the opportunity to present itself to the world with a rich history of scientific and technological innovations, opportunities and a vision for the future."