9yja
May 14th, 2007, 08:52 PM
History as Nigeria launches satellite
About three years and seven months after she launched her first ever satellite (Nig Sat-1) on September 27, 2003, Nigeria yesterday launched her first Communication Satellite (NigcomSat-1) into geosynchronous orbit from the Xichang satellite launch centre in China. The first ever satellite was launched aboard a Russian rocket but it was built by a British firm.
Yesterday’s satellite was launched at exactly 17:01 hours.
The feat which attracted commendations from Chinese and Nigerian state officials, is a super hybrid geo-stationary satellite designed to operate in C, KU, KA and L bands and wholly owned by Nigeria.
NigcomSat-1 has Africa, part of Middle East and Southern Europe as its footprint.
An elated Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke Jr; said the event has brought a sense of pride to Nigerians. He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to take pride in their fatherland.
A statement from the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja had said the satellite, designed, built and launched by the China Great Walls Industry Corporation, was intended to meet most information and communication technology needs of Africa.
NASRDA explained that the satellite was developed on the base of dongfang-h4 (DFH-4) satellite bus to meet African needs in telecommunications, broadcast, broadband multimedia, telemedicine and distance education.
NigcomSat-1 is coming 44 years after the launch of first geosynchronous satellite in 1963, which relayed the world's first satellite telephone call between U.S President John Kennedy and Nigerian Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
The launch was witnessed by a high-level government delegation headed by Prof. Turner Isoun, Minister of Science and Technology.
About three years and seven months after she launched her first ever satellite (Nig Sat-1) on September 27, 2003, Nigeria yesterday launched her first Communication Satellite (NigcomSat-1) into geosynchronous orbit from the Xichang satellite launch centre in China. The first ever satellite was launched aboard a Russian rocket but it was built by a British firm.
Yesterday’s satellite was launched at exactly 17:01 hours.
The feat which attracted commendations from Chinese and Nigerian state officials, is a super hybrid geo-stationary satellite designed to operate in C, KU, KA and L bands and wholly owned by Nigeria.
NigcomSat-1 has Africa, part of Middle East and Southern Europe as its footprint.
An elated Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke Jr; said the event has brought a sense of pride to Nigerians. He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to take pride in their fatherland.
A statement from the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja had said the satellite, designed, built and launched by the China Great Walls Industry Corporation, was intended to meet most information and communication technology needs of Africa.
NASRDA explained that the satellite was developed on the base of dongfang-h4 (DFH-4) satellite bus to meet African needs in telecommunications, broadcast, broadband multimedia, telemedicine and distance education.
NigcomSat-1 is coming 44 years after the launch of first geosynchronous satellite in 1963, which relayed the world's first satellite telephone call between U.S President John Kennedy and Nigerian Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
The launch was witnessed by a high-level government delegation headed by Prof. Turner Isoun, Minister of Science and Technology.