Azerspace-1/Africasat-1a, also known as AzerSat-1 (Azerbaijani: AzərSat-1) is Azerbaijan's first satellite in space. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, it was launched into orbit on February 7, 2013 from Kourou in French Guiana at orbital positions 46° east. The satellite was launched aboard Ariane 5. The satellite covers Europe and a significant part of Asia and Africa. It has transmission capabilities for TV, radio broadcasting and the internet.

 

The satellite has an anticipated service life of 15 years.

 

It is believed that the satellite cost of US$ 120 million and was established by Orbital Sciences Corporation. Arianespace’s president Jean-Yves Le Gall emphasized that the weight of the satellite would be three tonnes. In April 2011, Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved financing of this project as 85 percent of construction cost which will be provided to the Azerbaijani side in the form of a loan, while the remaining 15 percent will be paid by state funds. The funds will be issued to Azerkosmos OJSC.