Nigeria yesterday took another giant leap on space technology: It returned to space with the successful launch of the Nigeria Communication Satellite (Nigcomsat-1R) into the orbit.
At exactly 5.40pm, Nigeria’s replacement communications satellite, Nigcomsat 1R, was successfully launched into space. The satellite, a baby of NIGCOMSAT LIMITED, was launched on a Long March 3B (LM-3B) launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, located in south-west China.
The spacecraft, which was televised live by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) entered the predefined orbit of perigee being 200 km, apogee 41991 km and inclination 24.8.
NigComSat-1R is the fourth in-orbit delivery contract signed by China Space with its international customers.
The launch was conducted according to the NigComSat-1R Contract signed by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT LTD.) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
NigComSat-1R spacecraft is built on Dong Fang Hong 4 (DFH-4) satellite bus, developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and launched by LM-3B launch vehicle, developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle (CALT).
According to a statement from NIGCOMSAT on the launch, which was made available to LEADERSHIP, China Satellite Launch Tracking and Control General (CLTC) is providing tracking, control and ground segment support for the programme.
The statement reads in part, “The NigComSat-1R is the 8th satellite built on the DFH-4 bus for in-orbit delivery and the NigComSat-1R launch is the 18th flight of LM-3B launch vehicle and the 154th flight in the series of the Long March launchers.
“The project was carried out in conjunction with over 50 Nigcomsat engineers who spent the last 31 months in China.”
The satellite with service lifespan of over 15 years was designed to meet the needs of telecommunications, maritime, defence and broadcast media in Africa, particularly Nigeria and part of Europe and Asia. It has 28 active transponders, and quad band of Ku, ka, C-Band and L-band.
The two ground stations located in Abuja, Nigeria and Kashi, China, owned by Nigcomsat participated fully in the launch.
A visibly elated managing director of Nigcomsat Limited, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, simply said, “This is mission fulfilled.”
Top government officials including communications technology minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, her science and technology counterpart Prof Okon Ewa Bassey, chairman of Senate Committee on Communication Gilbert Nnaji, House of Representatives members, Nigcomsat 1R project director and executive director, marketing, Abimbola Alale, and chief executive of LASACO Insurance Plc, Mr. Sola Ladipo-Ajayi, witnessed the launch.
Speaking after the successful? launch of the satellite, the Minister of Technology and Communication, Mrs Mobolaji Johnson, said ‘’Technology has become the vehicle for growth of every society, therefore it is important that Nigeria gets her own satellite.”