The event, according to the managing director of the Nigerian Communications satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai is slated for Xichang, China on December 19.
NigComSat 1R is …a replacement satellite of NigComSat 1 which was de-orbited on November 10, 2008 due to a solar array problem.
It was built by China Great Wall Industries Corporation (CGWIC). The replacement satellite, which is due for launch next week, is at no cost to Nigeria, according to Engr Ahmed-Rufai.
“Indeed, the launch of the launch is expected to boost Nigeria’s global competitive index ranking, as the services it will provide for it’s telecommunications, broadcast, broadband Internet, among other customers will be greatly enhanced in Nigeria’s race to achieve the Vision 20:2020 goals through this administration’s transformation agenda,” he said.
NIGCOMSAT Limited was incorporated as a limited liability company in April 2006 and is responsible for the operation and management of Nigerian communications satellites starting with NigComSat-1 which was launched in May 2007 and de-orbited after 18 months.
The replacement satellite, NigComSat 1R, has the same features but with a few modifications from the NigComSat-1.
NigComSat 1R, which is the second Nigerian communication satellite, is to be placed into a geosynchronous orbit and positioned at 42.5oE. It has a launch mass of 5,100kg, and has an expected service life of 15 years.
The satellite will provide Ku-band, C-band, Ka-band and navigation payloads capability. The Ku-band payload will have 14 operational channels, 2 fixed beams over Western and Eastern Africa. The C-band payload will have 4 channels with coverage of Western Africa. The Ka-band payload will have 8 channels providing communications using 3 fixed spot beams over Europe, South Africa and Nigeria for trunking services and broadcasting. The navigation payload shall receive 2 uplink signals at C-band covering Nigeria and Europe, and transmit 2 downlink signals at L-band, L1 and L5, using a global coverage.
The spacecraft is designed such that each Radio Frequency (RF) channel shall meet the specified requirements, work well throughout its Service Life including eclipse conditions and also work well with allowance for degradation, wear-out and radiation damage.
Trust this time it will be better and reliable.
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