Caspian Energy (CE): What are the objectives pursued by the European space strategy and which hopes does the European Space Agency pin on the development of the cosmos? 

Prof. Amnon Ginati, Head of Integrated & Telecommunications related Applications Department, ESA: Space applications and services are vital for the development and growth of a society. They have a direct impact on people’s lives, be it socially through better civil security and humanitarian aid or economically by stimulating innovation and bringing to market efficient products and services. Satellite services and applications are the largest part in the value chain and a major driver of space technology and developments. Two of the main objectives of ESA’s “ARTES” programmes (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) in particular are to: 

• maintain and improve the capability and competitiveness of industry of participating countries in the world satellite communications market; 
• contribute to the resolution of problems that affect the European Institutions and the European society at large.

The development of programmes such as Galileo, Sentinel or Alphasat allow for the development of a whole new range of space applications, thanks to more accurate tracking, increased remote sensing capabilities and more reliable communications. ARTES transforms research and development investment into successful commercial products and services. ARTES programmes like IAP (Integrated Applications Promotion) are based on gaining a better understanding of what the needs are, providing feedback for the development of new infrastructure and space capabilities.

CE: How branched is the network of the ESA telecommunication satellites and which researches are under development? 

Amnon Ginati: ESA’s reach is global and alongside the development of some flagship telecommunication satellites is mainly aimed at supporting industry in the development of services and applications requiring telecommunication needs. European but also foreign communication satellites can be put to use through ESA contracts. ESA can support consortia which includes funded entities from member states, but also unfunded partners from other regions. Entities from ESA member states could, in partnership with organizations from the Caspian region, develop applications and services targeting specific local needs.

CE: Which new technologies has the ESA managed to develop over the past years? 

Amnon Ginati: Under the ARTES 3-4 and 5 programmes, ESA aims to develop new products and services, as well as new technologies in the field of telecommunications. Some examples include: 

• Various technology in the SAT-COM infrastructures and Payloads 
• Advanced sunshields for satellites
• New PCU for low-power applications on telecommunication satellites
• Textile antennas that can be sewn into clothing

ARTES 3, 4 and 5 commitments represent more than 30% of the research and development budgets in Europe’s satcom industry. Furthermore, under ARTES 20 ESA attempts to integrate existing satellite assets to develop value added services in areas covering health, transport, finance, development, energy, food, water, security, etc.

CE: What are the opportunities of cooperation of ESA in the Caspian region? 

Amnon Ginati: The Caspian region offers many opportunities for space-based services, such as: 

• SCADA monitoring for oil and gas pipelines 
• Remote sensing for the vast hydropower potential in the region
• Border security and maritime coastal tracking systems
• E-Health and distance education through SatCom in rural areas

Although ESA cannot fund industrial entities bordering the Caspian sea, as none of them are ESA member states, it can support the development of services and applications by entities in ESA Member States, which can meet demands from this region. Additionally, industry from the Caspian region can apply to participate and support the ESA consortia, but will not benefit from funding.

CE: Azerbaijan has recently become one of the cosmic states after launching its first telecommunication satellite. What are the prospects of cooperation between ESA and Azerbaijan? 

Amnon Ginati: Azerbaijan’s first telecommunications satellite is called Azerspace-1 (46 E). With a lifetime of 15 years it was manufactured by Orbital Sciences and launched on an Ariane 5 in February 2013.

The hybrid C- and Ku-band satellite covers transmission needs for TV, radio broadcasting and internet in Azerbaijan, the Caucasus Region, Central Asia, Europe and Africa. 

20% of the 3.2 ton satellite will be to meet Azerbaijan’s (governmental) demand and 80% for commercial purposes.

The goal is to redirect oil capital into other priority sectors such as ICT. Main purpose is to develop the broadband infrastructure throughout the country.

A decree signed by President of Azerbaijan declared 2013 the “Year of information communication technologies in Azerbaijan”. A lot of new services in e-government have been developed.

Azerbaijan plans to build second satellite, low-orbit remote sensing system, to be launched in 2015.

Therefore there is an opportunity for market demand for new services and applications in Azerbaijan to be met by projects co-funded through ESA programmes such as ARTES 3-4 (for satellite communications services) and ARTES 20 (for integrated applications). Although ESA cannot fund industrial entities in Azerbaijan, it can support the development of services and applications by entities in ESA Member States, which can meet demand in Azerbaijan by using the new national satellite system.

CE: What is your position toward the idea of creation of the “Silk way” network through Azerbaijan by means of the telecommunication technologies?

Amnon Ginati: The SILK project (also known as Virtual Silk Highway) was an initiative from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) programme, launched in 2002 to provide Internet access to academic institutions in the eight NATO partner countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia, which includes Azerbaijan. 

After ending in 2010, hundreds of institutes had been connected to the Web. NATO has helped create academic networks, managed by national research and educational networks (NRENs), and has provided equipment and infrastructure.

The project aimed to ensure joining of scientific and educational institutions in Central Asia and the Caucasus to broadband internet, supported by satellite technologies. VSAT terminals were supplied, as well as satellite dishes and other equipment. In Azerbaijan the project was realized by Azerbaijan Research and Education Network Association (AZRENA).

The project seems to have continued in Afghanistan, but we have no recent data about a SILK project in Azerbaijan.

Therefore ESA programmes could support co-funded projects to deliver services such as distance learning to remote educational centres right across the Caspian/Caucasus/Azerbaijan region. This would enable research centres and educational institutions to cooperate more easily. They can use broadband communications to interact with centres from foreign countries as well.

This could extend to other applications such as eHealth: for instance the SILK highway also engaged in 2007 with the Community Stress Prevention Center (CSPC) to create an internet portal to assist social workers and doctors in the case of a natural or terrorist disaster, helping them learn how to deal with traumatized individuals.

Thank you for the interview