Argentina's Centro de Ensayos de Alta Tecnología has concluded the latest environmental tests for the satellite ARSAT-1, which aims to improve TV and Internet coverage in the country. The satellite is scheduled to be launched by the beginning of July.
ARSAT-1 is now being tested in order to validate the satellite's resistance during launch. After this, the radio frequency test will start to measure the useful telecoms space for TV and Internet services.
"We are very close from the final goal of launching a 100% Argentinian satellite, which will bring autonomy to the country's telecoms," said Julio De Vido, Minister of Planning and Public Investment.
ARSAT-1's main goal is to reach the remote areas of Argentina which are not profitable for private operators and therefore are out of coverage. In addition, it will bring telecom services to the Antarctica bases.
The satellite will be finished and tested in Argentina in May before being taken to the Kourou Space Centre where it will be placed on an Ariane-5 rocket to be launched during the first week of July.
ARSAT-2 is already being developed and will start testing in September. The second national satellite is due to be launched in summer 2015.
