Belarus Plans to Launch New Satellite in 2009

MINSK. Sept 23 (Interfax) – Belarus plans to launch a satellite in 2009, Mikhail Myasnikovich, the chairman of the National Academy of Sciences Presidium, told the presidium on Tuesday.

“A Belarusian satellite to be launch in 2009 will provide repeated and full filming of the Belarusian territory, not irregular and low-quality coverage which Belarus has today,” he said

“While working on the new satellite Belarus wanted to create an original and better version,” Myasnikovich said.

“Concurrently, work is underway with a similar Russian satellite. A cluster launch will put a satellite constellation into orbit, which will improve the commercial component and make their operation reliable,” he said.

The Belarusian satellite will gather data that can be used for spotting and dealing with emergencies, to control the use of forests and to assess their damage.

The first Belarusian satellite, BelKA, was lost when the launch vehicle Dnepr, carrying several satellites, fell near Baikonur launch pad on July 27, 2006. The satellite was insured for $16 million. The payout was made in full by the middle of October 2006.

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