China has launched a Nigerian communications satellite, named NigComSat-1R, on a Long March 3B (LM-3B) launch vehicle from the Xixhang Satellite Launch Centre in south-west China.
The satellite will cater to the needs of telecommunications, maritime, defence, and broadcast media in Africa, especially in Nigeria, as well as parts of Europe and Asia.
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The new satellite will have a 15-year lifespan and replaces the Nigeria Communications Satellite 1 (NigComSat-1), which suffered a malfunction of Solar Array Deployment Assembly (SADA) on 10 November 2008.
Previously, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and China Great Wall Industry (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology (CASC), signed an agreement for the launch of the satellite.
China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) has developed the NigComSat-1R on a Dong Fang Hong 4 (DFH-4) satellite bus.
The DFH-4 platform will offer higher power output and communication capacity, which can be used for tracking and data relay, regional mobile communication and broadcasting communication.
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By GlobalDataThe satellite carries 28 active transponders including 4 C-band, 14 Ku-band, 8 Ka-band and 2 L-band.
NigComSat-1R is expected to improve the relevant national infrastructures of Nigeria and benefit people within its coverage area.
It was developed on a hybrid satellite with radiation-hardened technology, high reliability, onboard software reprogrammable ability, fault tolerance, redundant components and high efficiency.
Features include stronger footprints and centre beams over Africa, more powerful signal strength and shorter latency for intra-Africa communication traffic.
NigComSat-1R also increases Ku-band reliability and availability due to adequate fade margin compensation for attenuation losses by rain.
The satellite’s C-band payload will provide services for Africa and its Ku-band transponders will be aimed at regions of south-western Africa and China.
