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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s ArmSat-1 satellite is functional and is recording images, Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan has said.
He told reporters that ArmSat-1 is in Low Earth orbit, at an altitude of 490-500 km.
Hayrapetyan announced that Armenian specialists have fully assumed the control of the satellite on November 11.
“It is an observation satellite. For the first time in our newly independent history, we have the opportunity of not only owning a satellite, but also controlling it, acquiring skills to control it, which is an investment in the future. Starting today, our specialized teams have assumed full control of ArmSat-1,” he said.
The launch of the country’s first satellite in 2022 was a big step in starting space activities and making investments in this direction in terms of security of the country and centralizing resources, he added.
Minister Hayrapetyan denied rumors that the satellite doesn’t function. He said ArmSat-1 functions normally and is located at an altitude of 490-500km, taking images.
There is no guaranteed lifecycle of a satellite, the minister stressed. “Satellites of many countries either fall earlier than expected or stay in various orbits longer [than expected].”
When ArmSat-1 was launched in May 2022 from Cape Canaveral Space Station in the U.S., Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the data received from the satellite will be used for border surveillance, prevention and management of emergency situations, environmental protection, urban development and many other areas. A control center was later opened in Armenia and specialists underwent training to assume control.