2023 November 21

Daily news wrap-up

Armenia's satellite has captured 1.5 million images; "The best CubeSat"; Multiple filters & color; Military use // Relations deteriorate between West & Azerbaijan // Kerfuffle in Yerevan // Traffic incident stats // EVs? // Nature & consumer protection // Milei-yan
by ar_david_hh

---

Azerbaijani officials decry the West's "pro-Armenian" stance after the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh: "We are fighting on two fronts now"

Context: The U.S. and Europe have condemned Azerbaijan's invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh which forced the ethnic Armenians to flee. The U.S. has "downgraded" relations with Azerbaijan.

AZERBAIJAN: The West won't bring peace to our region. Armenia should focus on regional peace and continue negotiations with Azerbaijan. France is arming Armenia and preparing revanchists for another war. //

MARCO RUBIO (U.S. Senator): U.S. taxpayer dollars should not be going towards Azerbaijan, a nation that has brought instability to the region. My Senate colleagues agree and together we passed the Armenian Protection Act. Urging my colleagues on the House to do the same. //

In response, the Azerbaijani parliament has adopted a statement condemning the U.S. Senate's pro-Armenian resolution, calling it a "serious blow" to AZ-US relations.

Azeri MP Fazayil Aghamali renounced his honorary citizenship of Nebraska as a sign of protest.

Azeri diplomat Samid Seidov says there is a war against Azerbaijan on two fronts and that the West is threatening "Azerbaijan's future". He cited the Senate's decision to end military support to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has canceled a series of bilateral programs with several EU states over their pro-Armenian stance. These are the countries and the canceled programs: Lithuania - reforms in police, healthcare, and social security; Sweden and Greece - migrations.

UNITED STATES: We will provide an additional $4.1 million in humanitarian assistance to people affected by the events in Nagorno-Karabakh. //

UNITED STATES: We think it’s important that Armenia and Azerbaijan talk face-to-face to reach a durable agreement. We continue to engage with parties to facilitate a dignified and durable peace. We’ve seen efforts by other countries as well. //

ARMENIA: *[Armenia and Azerbaijan have been amending and transferring a draft peace document back and forth.]* We have just responded to Azerbaijan by transferring them our 6th proposal regarding the peace agreement. //

AZERBAIJAN: We should meet on the AM-AZ border and hold negotiations there. //

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/united_states_would_welcome_a_role_in_facilitating_armenia_azerbaijan_talks_state_department/) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/757542/խաղաղության-արմատները-վաշինգտոնում-բրյուսելում-կամ-փարիզում-չեն-կարծում-են-բաքվում/) [source,](https://factor.am/713381.html) [source,](https://twitter.com/SenMarcoRubio/status/1726661691453194312) [source,](https://factor.am/713573.html) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/757609/բաքուն-երևանին-առաջարկում-է-հանդիպում-անցկացնել-սահմանին/) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/274070) [source,](https://factor.am/713464.html) [source,](https://factor.am/713708.html) [source,](https://factor.am/713486.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/274064)

Azerbaijani army destroyed the giant cross installed in Nagorno-Karabakh capital Stepanakert after committing ethnic cleansing against the Christian population: VIDEO

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_AP1sKIf_M)

Armenian government is preparing to allocate another $192 million to assist the refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh

The refugees will be able to receive their pensions and allowances without applying for Armenian citizenship. This applies to military pensions as well, with some restrictions.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/economy/parliament_committee_allows_government_to_redistribute_another_77_billion_drams_including_for_assist/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWienX5Ad0) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/refugees_from_nagorno_karabakh_to_receive_pensions_and_allowances_in_armenia/)

Armenia denies plans to deliver missiles to Ukraine

Some foreign outlets claimed that Armenia plans to send missiles to Ukraine. The defense ministry of Armenia has denied the rumors.

[source,](https://factor.am/713519.html)

none of the ranking Armenian officials are willing to attend the Russian-led CSTO military summit in Belarus

PM Pashinyan canceled his participation earlier. Today we learned that FM Mirzoyan and MOD Papikyan won't be attending, either.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/274112)

kerfuffle ensues between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions of the Yerevan Council

Pro-West Aram Sargsyan's *Republic Party* and pro-Russia Robert Kocharyan's *Mother Armenia Alliance* do not get along well.

A member of the Republic Party accused the opponents of being "abizhnik" for dispatching their faction leader Andranik Tevanyan to Moscow to trashtalk Armenian government during a propaganda show on a Russian state channel, and accused them of being "sellouts" for receiving Z-grants from Russia in exchange for efforts to destroy Armenia's sovereignty.

The verbal exchange escalated into physical punches after a member of the pro-Russian faction splashed a glass of water on the pro-West member. The mayor suspended the session to break up the fight.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-F28vfo4zc) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/274110)

Armenia must expel Russian agents from Yerevan's Zvartnots airport and regain its sovereignty: Analyst Stepan Grigoryan, ex-MP

GRIGORYAN: Our sovereignty has been restricted. Russian border agents in Zvartnots organized a provocation recently. They detained a U.S. citizen who arrived in Armenia and even refused to allow Armenian agents to meet the person. The person was forced to leave. It's strange that the U.S. embassy hasn't released a statement. If Russia and the U.S. have issues with each other, they should keep Armenia out of it.

A similar incident happened with a respected Polish expert, a colleague of mine, while visiting Armenia earlier this year. Russian agents detained her for a lengthy period. The issue was eventually resolved and she was allowed to proceed, but she was shocked. People expect to meet at least *Armenian* agents to resolve any possible issues.

This is happening because we signed an agreement with Russia in 1992 to bring Russian agents to guard the borders with Turkey and Iran. However, the agreement does not stipulate "protection" in Zvartnots airport. We should analyze and understand how they ended up in Zvartnots. This is unacceptable. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98b3Eong7JE?t=311)

the newly elected president of Argentina served as an adviser to Armenian billionaire Eduardo Eurnekian

Eurnekian is a famous businessman from Argentina who runs various businesses (airports) and charities in Armenia and around the world.

Javier Milei, the new president of Argentina, worked at Eurnekian's company from 2008 to 2021 and eventually became his chief economist.

>The two developed a personal relationship that analysts say has been a key influence on the 52-year-old, though the anti-establishment candidate rarely discusses their ties.

EURNEKIAN: I think Milei would be a very good president. But I don’t want the dollar [referring to Mieli's plan to adopt the U.S. dollar as national currency in Argentina]. //

Several of Eurnekian’s former employees are part of Milei’s top team, including his rumored picks for interior minister and cabinet chief.

[source,](https://www.ft.com/content/2cc06399-8214-4a49-a195-4b5be3d32752)

13 Azeri tourists visited Armenia this year. Who are they?

People became curious after learning that 13 citizens of Azerbaijan and 2 citizens of Madagascar visited Armenia this year. While the latter two were [reportedly Marty and Alex](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17pfkko/universal_healthcare_work_requirement_new_clinics/k850ywx/), the identities of 13 Azeris remained a mystery, until now.

The NSS has revealed that 12 of them were members of the Azeri weightlifting team. They came to participate in the European championship held in Armenia. The 13th was an Azeri soccer player who was part of a foreign team that visited Armenia.

Under Armenian law, you are considered a tourist even if it's a work trip.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/757604/ովքե՞ր-են-հայաստան-այցելած-ադրբեջանցի-զբոսաշրջիկները-որոնք-ալեկոծեցին-հայկական-մամուլը/)

stats: traffic incidents & fatalities in Yerevan

period: incidents / deaths

2021 Jan-Dec: 1.9K / 78

2022 Jan-Dec: 1.9K / 58

2023 Jan-Nov: 1.7K / 66 (604 involving pedestrians)

... why

POLICE: There has been an increase in the number of vehicles and incidents, partially caused by the influx of drivers from Nagorno-Karabakh who are unfamiliar with local rules and aren't accustomed to driving on roads with heavy traffic.

... hotspots

You are more likely to get run over on Bagratunyats, Tigran Mets, Sebastia, Arshakunyats, and Baghramyan streets.

... main cause of incidents involving pedestrians

Drivers are usually at fault. They exceed the speed limit and don't have time to notice pedestrians.

Streets with dim lighting are more dangerous. The new LED lighting installed on some streets has decreased the number of incidents.

Officers have been issuing a lot of citations to jaywalkers. Illegal crossings are still an issue.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTDQKlXnCMs)

Black Friday: consumer protection agency warns businesses not to deceive buyers with fake discounts

OFFICIAL: If a discount of up to 70% is announced, it should apply to at least 20% of all items. If not, the retailer should be fined to the tune of 2.5% of its turnover.

Also, they aren't allowed to raise prices just before the discounts. The discount is to be made from the average price for the last month. //

The law was revised last year to improve the protections. The agency has since issued ֏100 million in fines to 35 businesses.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/head_of_armenia_s_anti_trust_commission_warned_retailers_of_fines_in_case_of_bad_faith_in_the_run_up/)

ruling party MP wants Armenians to switch to electric vehicles

KHACHATUR SUKIASYAN: We have a nuclear plant with excess electricity. The Executive branch should explore a plan to have certain industries, such as taxi companies, switch to EVs. We should also consider switching all state vehicles to EVs. Our nuclear plant produces so much electricity at night that it goes unused. Switching to EVs could balance it out.

GOVERNMENT: It's a complex issue. We are working on it. We simultaneously need to develop the power grid and electric infrastructure. There is a pilot program by the Nature Ministry to promote EVs. There will be customs tax waivers for imports. We are also negotiating with EV manufacturers to establish assembly plants in Armenia.

MP: Batteries are the future. We must develop our scientific institutions that study this field.

GOVERNMENT: We agree. And the used batteries will eventually need to be recycled. We have to start working on a plan now.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaOWfEYenLM)

Armenia will create a new high-tech Environmental Protection Service to replace the Forestry Committee

>[the new agency] will deal with monitoring and protection of the country's natural resources

The 1,176 agents will monitor national parks and forests round-the-clock and issue fines to violators. They will carry weapons and modern devices for control and supervision. Scheduled for 2024.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/armenia_to_create_environment_protection_service/)

astrophysicist Garik Israelyan (STARMUS co-founder) about Armenia's space ambitions

REPORTER: It's been 1.5 years since Armenia released its first-ever satellite. What do we know so far?

GARIK: Around 6 months ago there was an interview with Juan Tomás Hernani, the head of Satlantis [the Spanish company that manufactured the satellite]. He very openly stated that out of all the CubeSats released into space, Armenia has the best one. It has the latest technologies, excellent optics, very good quality images, and all the parameters meet the expectations. To this day, the satellite has captured over 1.5 million images.

REPORTER: What can they be used for?

GARIK: I don't know their plans, I don't know what the satellite will be configured to monitor. The satellite control center decides what it monitors. The control center was also designed by Satlantis. Satlantis isn't authorized to release data without the Armenian government's permission. All the data and images belong to Armenia. The image quality is very good.

REPORTER: Can it be used by the military?

GARIK: Yes. It has a 2-meter resolution. It can detect structures, large military equipment, inflow of persons on the border, etc. The U.S. military satellites have a quality 4x better than ours, but their images are black and white. Ours have colors. There aren't many 2-meter resolution satellites of this kind that are colored, in 4-5 filters. It's very important that we can receive data with several filters because the amount of data you receive is immeasurably more useful when you have real color images.

REPORTER: How does it compare to satellites used by Turkey and Azerbaijan?

GARIK: Azerbaijan purchased their satellite from France about a decade ago. They paid 50x more than us, and yet our satellite has a better quality. That's because of the technological advancements over the past decade. Prices have plummeted while the quality has increased. We can order even better satellites for affordable prices if we act quickly today. Even a non-rich country like Armenia can afford one. Azerbaijan has paid $125 million to acquire two advanced satellites from Israel. They will be delivered a few years from now unless Israel decides to give up its active satellites, which is quite rare. France had agreed to give its active satellite to Azerbaijan because of a very expensive "deal". I doubt Israel will do it today. If we act today, we can acquire a similar satellite for a cheaper price.

REPORTER: Could we produce these high-resolution military satellites in Armenia?

GARIK: Assembling isn't difficult, but obtaining optics and electronics is. We could probably handle the software in Armenia, although if we buy optics it'll probably come bundled with the programs. This first satellite was released with the goal of developing the space industry in Armenia. We should aim to produce at least part of the satellites in Armenia.

REPORTER: Is this the type of satellite Armenia needs? What other options are there?

GARIK: Maxar gained the reputation of a legend about 6 years ago. It probably has the best network on the market. They provide black and white images with a 30-40 cm resolution. It was financed by the U.S. government and has worked quite well. However, new players are emerging and will overtake Maxar in the next few years thanks to their new features, filters, and programs. Similar satellites will be 10-20x cheaper than today. If a decade ago only the U.S. could afford one, even Armenia would be able to afford one without significant difficulties. Armenia's ArmSat-1 is considered the best CubeSat satellite on the market today. It shouldn't be the last one. New programs are beginning to rely heavily on the AI. Since we get to decide how our satellite is being used, it has one big advantage over other satellites that are "shared" by others: we get to decide how it's used and for what strategy, we can focus all of its features and time on a specific task, and we can take millions of shots and use them to program an AI so that the next satellite can be more powerful. //

--

Report from June, 2023:

The TV crew was invited to [film the satellite's new temporary control center](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjQHoRbA6co?t=712) in Armenia. This center has allowed Armenia to take control of the satellite from the Spanish company Satlantis. [The official opening of the permanent center has not taken place yet.] Armenian scientists have been taking images since May-June.

The images will be used to monitor the borders, prevent emergency situations and natural disasters, topography, etc.

It has a precision of ~1.65 meters and can observe a 26 km layer. It's multi-spectral.

A gyro system allows it to rotate the head on the fly. If you need to record the border, you can configure it to maintain filming of that area as the satellite travels.

This satellite has a lifespan of 4 years. The government plans to launch the second satellite soon. *"It's going to have significantly better parameters."* Part of the design and integration work will be carried out in Armenia.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEl4zvkEsRw?t=622) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIRO4Q2eZL8?t=808)

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/180s5wu/armenias_satellite_has_captured_15_million_images/