Nigerian Communications Satellite

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Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited
AbbreviationNIGCOMSAT
FormationApril 4, 2006 (2006-04-04)
Founder Federal Government of Nigeria
TypeGovernment-owned company
PurposeManagement of Nigerian communications satellites
Headquarters Abuja, Nigeria
Region served
Africa, parts of Europe and Asia
Products NigComSat-1, NigComSat-1R
Key people
 Jane Egerton-Idehen (Managing Director)
Parent organization
 Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
Website nigcomsat.gov.ng

Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited is a company under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. Established to manage Nigeria's satellite communications program, it has overseen the launch and operation of the country's communications satellites. The company is responsible for NigComSat-1, Africa's first communications satellite, and its replacement NigComSat-1R, both developed in cooperation with Chinese partners.

Contents

Satellites

NigComSat-1

NigComSat-1, a Nigerian satellite ordered and built in China in 2004, was Nigeria's second satellite and Africa's first communication satellite. It was launched on 13 May 2007, on board a Chinese Long March 3B carrier rocket, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. The spacecraft was operated by NIGCOMSAT LTD and the Nigerian Space Agency, NASRDA. On 11 November 2008, NigComSat-1 was de-orbit after running out of power due to an anomaly in its solar array. It was based on the Chinese DFH-4 satellite bus, and carried different transponders: 4 C band; 14 Ku band; 8 Ka band; and 2 L band. It was designed to provide coverage to many parts of Africa, and the Ka band transponders would also cover Italy.

On 10 November 2008 (0900 GMT), the satellite was reportedly switched off for analysis and to avoid a possible collision with other satellites and was put into "emergency mode operation in order to effect mitigation and repairs". [1] The satellite eventually was de-orbited later on in the same month. [2] [3] According to internal sources, the situation was caused by a problem with the solar panels of the satellite, which further lead to reduced functioning capacity.

On 24 March 2009, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, NIGCOMSAT Ltd. and CGWIC signed a further contract for the in-orbit delivery of NigComSat-1R satellite. NigComSat-1R was also a DFH-4 satellite. [4]

NigComSat-1R

Funded by insurance proceeds, a replacement for the failed satellite was launched from China in 2011. [5] : 302–303 

2018 agreement

In 2018, Nigeria signed an agreement with China to purchase two additional communications satellites with funds provided the Export-Import Bank of China. [5] : 303–304  In exchange, China will receive part ownership of Nigerian Communications Satellite. [5] : 304 

References

  1. ↑ "'Technical problems' shut down Nigerian satellite". AFP. 2008-11-12. Archived from the original on 2011-01-04.
  2. ↑ "NIGCOMSAT explains de-orbiting of satellite, alleged 'lying idle in space'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2015-12-03. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  3. ↑ "NIGCOMSAT to Replace NigComSat 1-R Satellite withTwo New Satellites – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  4. ↑ "Nigcomsat-1 Program --- In-Orbit Delivery Program --- Communications Satellite --- CGWIC".
  5. 1 2 3 Shinn, David H.; Eisenman, Joshua (2023). China's Relations with Africa: a New Era of Strategic Engagement. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN   978-0-231-21001-0.

8°59′31″N7°23′22″E / 8.99194°N 7.38944°E / 8.99194; 7.38944


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