There was no task of resolving all the problems of Armenia by sending the ArmSat-1 satellite into orbit. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia, told about this to reporters Monday.

According to him, the basis of this initiative was to start an activity for Armenia in the space sector, and the option of having a satellite was chosen for this.

"It is a video imaging satellite. For the first time it gives us [i.e. Armenia] the opportunity not only to have a satellite, but also to control and acquire control skills, which is an investment in the future. As of today, we and our professional teams have fully taken over the control of the ArmSat-1 satellite. The satellite takes space photos with specific resolutions, they cannot be photos ensuring the same quality as other satellites in the world, but we did not set such a task from the very beginning. ‘Conquering’ the entire universe with an investment of [just] $8 million would be foolish," Hayrapetyan said.

He added that ArmSat-1 is currently functioning and taking photos.

"I can say what we have at the moment. That is, I don't have such information about the satellite not working or not existing at the moment. There are even photos taken yesterday. We have no information that the satellite will fall, but one day it will. That is, there are specific timeframes for satellites when private companies acquire them; these guarantees exist for a specific period. If that period passes and nothing happens to the satellite, of course there can be no consequences for the selling company.

For the first time, Armenian engineers are able to understand how to deal with a satellite, how it is possible to control a satellite, how to correct certain emerging problems. This gives us the opportunity to have more earthy, concrete ideas in our strategic steps of space activity in general, rather than just life logic. It is important for us that specific scientific and research competencies is concentrated within our country," Hayrapetyan said.

According to him, the ArmSat-1 satellite has taken photos that contain state secrets.