Bolivians learning to operate satellites

BOLIVIA: Bolivian Vice-Minister for Telecommunications, Roy Mendez informed that about 74 professionals of that country will be trained in China to operate and administrate Tupac Katari satellites.

He said they gathered 74 people among them technicians and engineers related the space project.

He also pointed out that the newly formed Bolivian Space Agency enlists an open call to all the professionals of the sector in that country.

He said the call is to all Bolivians, especially to young professionals to acquire the knowledge to be used in the country to contribute to raising the level of education in that country's universities.

According to the Minister of Public Works, Walter Delgadillo, in a period of 30 days will begin the construction of the station after a 45 million dollars first deposit. He announced that in 36 months they will have finished the satellite and launched to the space ready to receive and broadcast signals.

The process of acquisition and building of the satellite began with a minute between the governments of China and Bolivia on October 23, 2009 and another signed recently in La Paz.

It is calculated that in three years the satellite will provide services in Bolivia and Latin America through two earth stations located in Pampahasi, east of La Paz, and La Guardia in Santa Cruz.

Prensa Latina