Ten days after Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat 1R), Nigeria’s replacement satellite re-entered into space , it has successfully entered into its permanent orbital home where In-Orbit Testing (IOT)? has begun ahead commercial service early next year.
NigComSat 1R which was launched on December 19, 2011 will remain in its orbital home for the next 15 years plus when its lifespan is expected to expire.? It was built on a DFH-4 platform and was successfully launched on a Long March 3B/E launch vehicle into the geo-transfer orbit (GTO) on Monday, December, 19, 2011, from Xichang satellite launch centre in China.
Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore, spokesman for NigComSat Limited said after the separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle, the satellite was injected into the geo-transfer orbit and subsequently began its journey to the final orbital position of 42.5degree East in the GEO-stationary orbit.
This operation which is referred to as Launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) operations of the satellite lasted for one week with about five orbital maneuvers carried out successfully. According to him, the satellite was placed in its final orbital position of 42.5 degrees East at exactly 00:58 GMT, on Tuesday, December,27, 2011.?
“The satellite now positioned in the GEO-stationary orbit is within the view of the two NigComSat Ground Control Centres based in Lugbe, Abuja and Kashi, China respectively. NigComSat-1R is now being monitored and controlled from the Abuja Ground Station from where the data from the satellite are presently being received real-time,” he said.
In-Orbit Testing (IOT) will last another 40 days before commercial activities begin.? The tests shall be carried out on the satellite to verify that the payload performance meets the satellite design requirements. Upon the successful completion of IOT, it is expected that commercial services shall commence in the first week of February 2012.