| Names | Intelsat 38 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | Azercosmos Intelsat |
| COSPAR ID | 2018-074A |
| SATCATno. | 43632 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Azerspace-2 |
| Spacecraft type | SSL 1300 |
| Bus | LS 1300 |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral[1] |
| Launch mass | 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) |
| Power | 13.7kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 September 2018, 02:38GMT+4 |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA (VA243) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais,ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 45° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 35Ku-bandtransponders |
| Coverage area | Central Europe,Eastern Europe,Sub-Saharan Africa,Middle East,Asia |
Azerspace-2, also known asIntelsat 38, isAzerbaijan's second telecommunications satellite, built bySpace Systems/Loral,California and managed byAzercosmos andIntelsat.[2]
A strategic agreement was signed between theIntelsat S.A., andAzercosmos OJSCo. (Azercosmos Open Joint Stock Company), Azerbaijan's national satellite operator, on the 45° East orbital location in February 2015. Both companies collaborated on the development of the Azerpsace-2 satellite.[3] The purchase of Azerspace-2 is carried out mainly at the expense of a preferential loan from theCanadian credit and export agencyExport Development Canada.
Azerpsace-2 satellite was launched into orbit on 26 September 2018 at 02:38 GMT+4 from thecentre Spatial Guyanais inFrench Guiana. It separated from the upper rocket stage and operated in test mode for the first two months. Then the satellite was transferred to a working orbit. Azerspace-2 has been designed in order to help Azercosmos to expand its service area. It renders uninterrupted service acrossCentral Europe,Eastern Europe,Asia, theMiddle East andSub-Saharan Africa. The new satellite will provide continuity of service for theIntelsat 12 satellite.
Azerspace-2 will provide digital broadcasting, data transmission and other services. The satellite will support thedirect-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasting, contributing to the emergence of DTH operators inAzerbaijan.[4][5] It has an anticipated service life of 15 years.[6]
The satellite was placed intogeostationary orbit at 45° East longitude, and will serve the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia,[7] also serving as a backup toAzerspace-1.[6]
According toAzercosmos, 46% of the satellite's unladen capacity has been sold.[8][9]
