Field Fisher Waterhouse advises on successful record breaking launch of Azerbaijan's first satellite
20 February 2013
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has advised Azercosmos, Azerbaijan’s
space agency and first satellite operator, on a project worth USD
230 million to successfully launch the Azerspace/Africasat 1a
satellite.
The satellite blasted off from the Kourou Space Centre in French
Guyana successfully on 7 February and is designed to provide high
bandwidth communications capacity across Europe, Central Asia and
Africa. The launch represented a new record for the weight of the
satellites placed in orbit by an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
Field Fisher Waterhouse Communications and Technology partner
John Worthy led the
firm’s team on the deal, assisted by Finance partner Andrew Evans,
Employment & Pensions partner James Warren, associates Sarah Reid,
Hannah Salton, Sarah Wheeler and Lee Harding.
John and the team have advised Azercosmos and the Azerbaijan
Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies on the
project since 2009. This included setting up an innovative
joint venture with Measat, one of the leading Malaysian satellite
operators, followed by the satellite procurement with Orbital
Sciences Corporation and the launch services agreement with
Arianespace. In addition, the firm advised on international
regulatory issues, employment contracts and the export credit
financing provided by BNP Paribas and US Export/Import Bank.
John Worthy said:
"This is the first venture into space for Azerbaijan and is key
to the development of the country's communications
infrastructure. The launch of this satellite represents a
major success for the firm's satellite practice and highlights our
increasing profile as one of the leading law firms in the satellite
sector."
The firm's satellite team's experience covers advice on
satellite projects around the world, including recent projects in
the UK, Russia, Turkmenistan, Angola and Australia, providing a
high profile addition to the firm's market leading telecoms and
technology practice.
For further information, please
contact:
Paula
Nugent, PR Executive, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861
4526 or via Paula.Nugent@ffw.com
Ibrahim Kamara, PR
Manager, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4120 or via
Ibrahim.Kamara@ffw.com