Hakob Jagharyan Comments on Nikol Pashinyan's Statement About Sending a Satellite into Space

Former advisor to the Prime Minister on aviation issues, Hakob Jagharyan, has commented on Nikol Pashinyan's statements regarding sending a satellite into space and referring to it as the first.

Jagharyan wrote: “Armenia and space: Two days ago, during a cabinet meeting, the session leader proudly announced that Armenia had sent its first satellite into space and that Armenia is now a spacefaring nation... Government-affiliated loudmouths immediately latched onto the 'sensation' and began spreading the 'shock wave', making sure to note that it was '...made possible only by the tireless efforts of the velvet government...'

The reality is: Armenia's first satellite was created and sent to space back in 1969 under the leadership of Academician Grigor Gurzadyan. The satellite was among the first in the world to be returned to Earth. It is currently located in the Space Museum of Armenia, signed by all the authors.

In our time: In 2012, negotiations began with Roscosmos regarding the Armenian satellite program. In 2013, the Armenian government established the ArmCosmos program. Since 2013, Armenia has been a member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and International Satellite Communications. Since 2013, Armenia has been granted two orbital slots for telecommunications satellites. In 2013, discussions began with the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on creating Armenia's first satellite. In 2013, the Canadian space company MDA expressed its willingness to assist in creating Armenia's first satellite. In 2013, Germany also expressed a willingness to cooperate with Armenia on its space programs.

In 2014, China showed willingness to participate in the ArmSat program. The Armenian government and the Chinese Great Wall companies began negotiations. As a result, the Chinese side expressed its readiness to design, launch, service, and train Armenian specialists.

In 2017, India announced its readiness to create an Earth observation satellite for Armenia. The agreement also included training Armenian scientists on system usage and data processing, signed during a meeting between Armenian President Armen Sarkissian and Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Finally, launching the satellite into orbit with a Falcon 9 spacecraft, with a payload of up to 200 kg, according to SpaceX’s published rate, costs $1M (1 million USD). Armenia sent its first satellite into space in collaboration with the Urdaneta agricultural satellite of Spain's Basque region. It is named Urdaneta-Armsat1.

How much intelligence was required for this small, half-a-million-dollar toy, whose control system, again according to the chief liar, does not yet exist in Armenia and will be operational during 2023, not to be presented as a prominent success in the arduous work of 'conquering space'? Meanwhile, could the satellites from the government give a slight jolt to the brains so that the fake government’s fake satellite could be differentiated from the real one?”