Azerspace-1 to reach orbit by February 19

February 17 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan`s first communications satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a will reach its orbital position on February 19, Azercosmos has said.

Azerspace-1 was launched from the Guiana Space Center near Kourou in French Guiana February 8.

Made by U.S. Orbital Sciences Corporation based on flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform, Azerspace-1 blasted off aboard French Ariane 5 rocket.

Azerbaijan`s first communications satellite will operate from an orbital location at 46 degrees East longitude through an arrangement between Azercosmos and MEASAT Satellite Systems of Malaysia, which owns the rights to the orbital slot.