Azerspace-2
{{Use British English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Azerspace-2
| names_list = Intelsat 38
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = Azercosmos
Intelsat
| COSPAR_ID = 2018-074A
| SATCAT = 43632
| website =
| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
| spacecraft = Azerspace-2
| spacecraft_type = SSL 1300
| spacecraft_bus = LS 1300
| manufacturer = Space Systems/Loral{{cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/business/93212.html|title=Azerbaijan designs Azerspace-2 telecommunication satellite|publisher=Azer News|date=22 February 2016|access-date=31 March 2021}}
| launch_mass = {{cvt|3500|kg}}
| dry_mass =
| dimensions =
| power = 13.7 kW
| launch_date = 26 September 2018,
02:38 GMT+4
| launch_rocket = Ariane 5 ECA (VA243)
| launch_site = Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
| launch_contractor = Arianespace
| entered_service =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 45° East
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 35 Ku-band transponders
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Asia
| insignia =
| insignia_caption =
| insignia_size = 200px
| programme = Intelsat constellation
| previous_mission = Intelsat 37e
| next_mission = Intelsat 39
}}
Azerspace-2, also known as Intelsat 38, is Azerbaijan's second telecommunications satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, California and managed by Azercosmos and Intelsat.{{cite web|url=https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?id=2674|title=Azerspace 2|publisher=Satbeams|access-date=31 March 2021}}
History
A strategic agreement was signed between the Intelsat S.A., and Azercosmos 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150217005236/en/Intelsat-Azercosmos-Partner-Deliver-New-Satellite-45|title=Intelsat and Azercosmos Partner to Deliver New Satellite at 45 Degrees East|publisher=Business Wire|date=17 February 2015|access-date=}} The purchase of Azerspace-2 is carried out mainly at the expense of a preferential loan from the Canadian credit and export agency Export Development Canada.
Launch
Azerpsace-2 satellite was launched into orbit on 26 September 2018 at 02:38 GMT+4 from the centre Spatial Guyanais in French 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 across Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. The new satellite will provide continuity of service for the Intelsat 12 satellite.
Satellite description
Azerspace-2 will provide digital broadcasting, data transmission and other services. The satellite will support the direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasting, contributing to the emergence of DTH operators in Azerbaijan.{{cite web|url=https://az.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/2691172.html|title=İlham Əliyev: "Azerspace-2"nin orbitə çıxarılması Azərbaycanda kosmik sənayenin inkişafında yeni mərhələnin təməlini qoyacaq|website=az.trend.az|language=az|date=29 November 2016|access-date=31 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/azerbaijan-upgrades-telecommunications-infrastructure-set-to-launch-azerspace-2-2017-10-25-0/|title=Azerbaijan Upgrades Telecommunications Infrastructure, Set To Launch Azerspace-2 |website=caspiannews.com|publisher=Caspian News|date=25 October 2017|access-date=31 March 2021}} It has an anticipated service life of 15 years.{{cite news |url=http://cbc.az/en/en/news/azercosmos-azerspace-2-satellite-to-be-launched-in-april1515654599|title=Azercosmos: Azerspace-2 satellite to be launched in April|publisher=CBC Azerbaijan|first=Bakhtiyar |last=Hasanov|date=11 January 2018|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206193059/http://cbc.az/en/en/news/azercosmos-azerspace-2-satellite-to-be-launched-in-april1515654599 |archive-date=6 February 2018|url-status=dead}}
Orbit longitude
The satellite was placed into geostationary orbit at 45° East longitude, and will serve the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia,{{cite web |url=https://www.azernews.az/business/95240.html|title=Azerbaijan constructing second telecommunication satellite|website=azernews.az|date=15 April 2016|access-date=31 March 2021}} also serving as a backup to Azerspace-1.
Commercialization
According to Azercosmos, 46% of the satellite's unladen capacity has been sold.{{Cite web |url=http://news.lent.az/news/292089 |title="Azerspace-2" peyki orbitə çıxarılacaq |access-date=26 February 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011091238/https://news.lent.az/news/292089 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.azernews.az/business/89548.html|title=Azerspace-2 to sign contract with manufacturer soon|website=azernews.az|date=6 November 2015|access-date=31 March 2021}}
References
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Azerbaijani space program}}
{{Orbital launches in 2018}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2018
Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit
Category:Satellites of Azerbaijan