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Fieldfisher's Satellite and Space Projects team advised the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan on a deal to build and launch the country’s first communications satellite which was successfully launched on 27 April 2015. The contract was performed by Thales Alenia Space, a European leader in satellite systems, with the support of Space Systems International Monaco.
The satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral on American launch vehicle Falcon 9, from SpaceX, and will be located at 52° east, with a footprint spanning Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.
Partner John Worthy, who led the Fieldfisher team which advised on the deal, said: “This project is key to the development of Turkmenistan’s communications infrastructure and we are delighted with the news of the successful launch. This transaction also reflects a growing trend by adopting a collaborative structure to deliver the benefits expected by Turkmenistan. Our involvement in pioneering deals such as this demonstrates our profile as one of the leading law firms in Satellites and Space Projects and builds on previous successes in the CIS.”
Fieldfisher has a market-leading Satellites and Space projects team with clients that include space businesses from the UK, Europe and round the world. It has been a busy period for the team which is currently acting as the sole legal adviser to Lunar Mission One, a project described as "one of the most inspiring projects since the Apollo moon landings". Since its public launch in November 2014, the mission has raised more than £670,000 on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and received backing from leading public figures including Stephen Hawking and Brian Cox.
The firm worked alongside international law firm, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP on the Turkmenistan deal.