African Space Technology: News, Research News and Ventures.

FG plans 25-year space development plan[

Oluyinka Akintunde, Abuja

President Olusegun Obasanjo has approved a 25-year plan for the development of space science and technology for the country.


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The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the opening of the First African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Abuja.

Isoun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, said the 25-year plan would ensure manufacturing and launching of a Nigerian satellite as well as ensuring a Nigerian astronaut in space.

He said, "The blueprint is that within the next 10 years, a Nigerian astronaut will be produced. That is, a Nigerian astronaut will be in space within the next 10 years and in the next 15 years, the blueprint states that a Nigerian satellite, that is a satellite manufactured in Nigeria, will be launched.

"Within the next 25 years, another satellite produced and manufactured in Nigeria will be launched on Nigerian soil. At present, we go to either Russia or Germany to launch our satellite. But within the next 25 years, we should have developed the capability in satellite technology and capability in ability to launch satellite."

African countries jostle for Nigeria satellite

More than ten African countries have indicated their desire to benefit from the operations of the yet-to-be launched Nigeria Commu-nication Satellite, known as NIGCOMSAT-1, Director General of the National Space Research and Devel-opment Agency (NSRDA), Prof. Robert Boroffice, has said.


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Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the NSRDA boss disclosed that the countries were hoping to notch up a deal on using the communication facility in the areas of telecommunications carriage, navigation, television distribution, direct broadcasting systems (DBS), and digital broadband.

Among the countries that have so far made contact with the agency for possible deal on the facility, according to Boroffice, are Ivory Coast, Egypt, Togo Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and Benin Rep-ublic.

Sudanese firm to invest N32bn in Nigerian satellite


Everest Amaefule, Abuja

Sudanese firm, Elrasid Electronic Trading and Investment Limited, has said it would invest $250million (about N32billion) in Nigeria’s communications satellite, NigComSat –1, billed for inauguration in December.


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Chief Executive Officer, Elrasid, Mr. Khali Alsadiq, expressed the interest in a formal letter of intent to the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof. Robert Boroffice, on Monday.

The expression of interest followed a letter by President Olusegun Obasanjo, inviting African Heads of State to buy into the project and become partners in the communications satellite.

Alsadiq described Nigeria as one of the strongest nations in Africa that was set to play a role in communications satellite technology.

He said that his organisation had studied the profile of Nigeria’s venture into satellite technology and decided to get involved.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant Media, NARSDA, Mr. Felix Ale, on Tuesday, said a delegation from Israeli Gilatsatcom, also visited the facilities of the agency on Monday.

Nigeria gets first African space centre:banana:

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

HISTORY was made yesterday in Abuja as Nigeria's dream of becoming the hub of space technology development in Africa received a boost with President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioning the Nigerian Space Centre (NSC).

The centre, said to be the first space centre in Africa, has a ground control station/ network operation centre for communications satellites; houses the ground receiving station for earth observation satellites; and contains the first phase of the Satellite Design Centre/Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Centre, a multipurpose Conference Centre (under construction) and a Planetarium (under construction).

Some of the ancillary facilities include the utility sub-station and police station.

The centre also houses the administrative building and serves as permanent site for the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), among others.

The President, who noted that the establishment of the National Space Technology Centre was critical to the development of space technology in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, maintained that it would assist greatly in realising the country's aspirations in space science and technology.

He said the event marked another milestone in the country's quest to optimise the use of science and technology to promote sustainable national development and improved quality of life for the people.

Noting that space technology is key to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives of "our holistic reform agenda as encapsulated in the NEEDS document, he stated: "It guarantees the availability and speedy access to real-time data and geo-spatial information, as well as the availability of relevant infrastructure and backbone for information communication."

He assured that Nigeria remained committed to the Millennium Development Goals, adding that this commitment had

spurred his administration towards embarking on programmes and initiatives that would effectively address the challenges of poverty, food security, infrastructure development, sustainable energy, affordable health and housing, and protection from natural and man-induced disasters.

He continued: "It is imperative therefore to integrate space technology applications into the various stages of our sustainable development efforts.

"The Federal Government took a bold step by embarking on satellite systems development through the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency in 1999 and the approval of the National Space Policy and Programme in 2001. This effort resulted in the launch of the first earth observation satellite, NigeriaSat-1, in September 2003.

"By this unique achievement, Nigeria has registered not only its footprint in space but also its name as a satellite data provider. I am informed that the satellite is performing well and has captured over 2,000 images covering the entire country and different parts of the world. I am pleased to note that

NigeriaSat-1 imagery has been variously applied to tackle some of our socio-economic problems."

He listed such areas of intervention to include Fadama rice production, cassava yield prediction, natural resources management, settlement mapping and transportation planning, gully erosion mitigation, desertification early warning, deforestation monitoring and Niger Delta environmental change monitoring.

Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice, announced at the occasion that the first Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat-1) project, a critical ICT infrastructure backbone for the entire African continent, would be launched from Xi Chang Launch Centre in China on May 14, 2007.

AlSat 1
SPACECRAFT

Int'l Designation 2002 054A
Launched

Owner / Sponsor Algeria Centre National des Techniques Spatiales
Mission Disaster Monitoring Constellation - Observation
Satellite Bus SSTL Microsat-100

Launch Mass 90 kg (198 lbm)
Mission Orbit SSO / 686 km, circular 98°

Design Life
Power (EOL)

The 90 kg (198 lbm) AlSat-1 is the first spacecraft of an international Disaster Monitoring Constellation. AlSat-1, built by SSTL, will provide wide swath (600 km) 32-meter multispectral images and 1 GByte solid state recorders for high capacity onboard storage of image data and transmission to ground using S-band transmitter. The spacecraft is the result of international cooperation between Algeria, China, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam coordinated by SSTL. AlSat-1 will be joined in orbit by four more SSTL-built microsatellites to be launched in mid-2003. Engineers from both Surrey and Algeria built and tested the spacecraft over a 15-month period. AlSat-1 will be operated by Algeria’s Centre National des Techniques Spatiales. This is Algeria's first national satellite. A follow-on constellation with higher imaging resolution capability will begin launches in 2004.



Remote Sensing Microsatellite for Algeria


SSTL developed the AlSAT-1 enhanced microsatellite during a know-how and technology transfer program for the Centre National des Techniques Spatiales (CNTS) of Algeria. AlSAT-1 is the first step in CNTS's plan to develop Algeria's national space infrastructure. The AlSAT-1 programme included the satellite, a mission control station in Arzew, Algeria and hands-on training at Surrey for a team of Algerian engineers.



AlSAT-1 was launched from Plesetsk on a Kosmos launcher in November 2002.
AlSAT-1 carries an optical imaging payload developed by SSTL to provide 32-m ground resolution with an exceptionally wide swath width of over 640 km. The payload uses green, red and near infrared bands equivalent to Landsat TM+ bands 2, 3 and 4. Images are stored in a 9-Gbit solid-state data recorder and returned via an 8-Mbps S-band downlink.

AlSAT-1 can image scenes as large as 640 x 560 km, providing unparalleled wide-area, medium-resolution data. CNTS is distributing the data to other Algerian institutions, which are using it for pollution monitoring, cartography and petrology applications..


AlSAT-1 is also the first satellite in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation--an international programme, coordinated by SSTL, which will provide medium-resolution imagery with daily worldwide revisit






Algeria launchs second satellite
14/09/2005

The launch of the second Algerian satellite, AlSat 2, was announced in Oran on Monday (12 September) during a ceremonial signing of an agreement between the Algerian Space Agency and the Directorate-General of the Forests. The new-generation satellite will offer more accurate photographs and will assist in the monitoring of Algerian forests by providing real-time data on fires. The National Centre of Space Technology developed the satellite tool, providing geographical information to prevent forest fires


AlSat-2 (Algeria Satellite-2)

AlSat-2 is an optical Earth observation project of CNTS (Algerian National Space Technology Centre). In Feb. 2006, CNTS signed an agreement with EADS Astrium SAS to design and built two satellites. The first of these, AlSat-2A, will be integrated and tested in France at EADS Astrium, whereas the second one, AlSat-2B, will be integrated in Algeria within the small satellite development center (UDPS) in Oran. The AlSat-2 program includes the construction of two ground control segments as well as one station for high-speed downlinks of imagery permitting spacecraft operations from Algerian territory, a country of 2.38 million km2 in size. 1) 2) 3) 4)

The cooperation agreement makes provision for Algerian engineers to work side-by-side with the EADS Astrium development team, with intensive training given in space technology. The AlSat-2 contract lays the foundation for sustained co-operation with Algerian institutions in the fields of space technology for Earth observation, and its applications, as well as in the field of telecommunications.

The system will enable Algeria to obtain very high quality images for use in a wide variety of applications: cartography, management of agriculture, forestry, water, mineral and oil resources, crop protection, management of natural disasters and land planning.

The Algerian government created its Space Agency in January 2002, ASAL (Agence Spatiale Algérienne) or Algerian Space Agency, to develop, promote, and manage the countries space program.

Background: AlSat-1 of CNTS is being flown in the DMC (Disaster Monitoring Constellation), a 5 spacecraft optical imaging constellation developed and coordinated by SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd), UK. AlSat-1 was launched on Nov. 28, 2002, the spacecraft is operating nominally as of 2007 providing multispectral imagery of 32 m resolution in a swath of 600 km.

Nigeria: Yar'Adua Visits Space Centre

Daily Trust (Abuja)
Daily Trust (Abuja)

4 May 2007
Posted to the web 4 May 2007

Hamisu Muhammad

President-elect, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday conducted a tour of the newly commissioned National Space Centre located along Airport Road in Abuja.

Speaking at the site, Yar'Adua, said the effort of Nigeria in space technology is a testimony to the "ability of the country to attain greatness".
Africa 2007

He described the Space Centre as a national pride and one of the enviable legacies of the present administration, adding that the Centre is a 'monumental achievement.'

Earlier, the President-elect was visited the facilities at the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited, the ground station of NigeriaSat-1 and the administrative block.
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The National Space Centre, which was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo last Monday is said to be the first of its kind in Africa.

The President-Elect and his entourage were conducted round the Space Centre by the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, Director General of the National Space Research and Development, Prof. Robert Boroffice, and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited, Engr. Ahmed-Rufai among others.

Briefing Yar'Adua on Nigeria's space programme, Isoun stressed that the focus of the National Space Policy was to acquire competency and capability in space technology development through appropriate human resources development and capacity building in making space research and development activities part of the efforts at sustainable national development.

Algeria Buys Two Small Remote Sensing Satellites - EADS To Train 25 Algerian Aerospace Engineers


About 25 Algerian aerospace engineers will be taking up residence here for 32 months as part of a contract between EADS Astrium and Algeria's space agency for the production of two small high-resolution Earth observation satellites.

The Alsat-2 spacecraft will utilize the Myriade small-satellite platform and provide black-and-white images with a 2.5-meter ground resolution for the Algerian National Space Technology Centre. Launch of the satellite is scheduled to take place in late 2008.

The contract, announced Feb. 1, is the fourth high-resolution optical Earth observation spacecraft to be built by EADS Astrium for foreign governments. But the spacecraft built for Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea are larger and more expensive.

Alsat-2 is expected to weigh just 130 kilograms at launch. With a scheduled five-year service life, it will carry an onboard recorder with a 64-gigabyte capacity to permit Algerian authorities to collect imagery from regions out of line-of-sight contact with the Alsat-2 ground station.

Once Alsat-2 is launched, EADS will furnish components, including the principal imager and a second Myriade satellite bus, to Algerian authorities for integration at a new satellite-development facility in Oran, Algeria.

Michel Bouffard, director of Earth observation and science at EADS Astrium and director of the company's operations here, said the Alsat contract should send a message to nations still concerned about satellite-procurement costs that an operational system can be purchased at affordable prices.

Bouffard declined to disclose financial details of the Alsat-2 contract, which EADS Astrium won in the competition with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. of Guildford, England, the world's premier small-satellite specialist and the builder of the Alsat satellite currently in orbit.

The Surrey-built Alsat has a 32-meter ground resolution and is capable of taking only a few images per day. It is part of the Surrey-coordinated Disaster Monitoring Constellation.

"In the past, satellites of this size have been for special purposes including research or as part of a broader system," Bouffard said Feb. 2. "Alsat-2 is a truly operational microsatellite. The fact that we are capable of delivering this now should stimulate interest in several nations that have been concerned about the cost of satellite hardware. There are nations coming to see us now that were not interested before."

The governments of Turkey and Egypt have expressed an interest in purchasing their own Earth observation systems, although industry officials say these governments are likely to seek a satellite that more resembles the larger, 1-meter-resolution models ordered by the three Asian governments.

Taiwan's Formosat-2 satellite, with a 2-meter imager, was launched in May 2004. The Korean Aerospace Research Institute's Kompsat-2 satellite is scheduled for launch by the Euro-Russian Eurockot Launch Services GmbH company of Bremen, Germany, by mid-2006.

Thailand's Theos satellite, also equipped with a 2-meter imager, is scheduled for launch by Eurockot in 2007. Some 230 Thai engineers have been trained in satellite-imagery analysis and satellite operations since 2000, in France and in Thailand.

The Alsat-2 contract illustrates the blurring of once-clear borders separating microsatellites for research and operational spacecraft. With Surrey Satellite Technology now also designing slightly larger satellites -- the company built the just-launched Giove-A spacecraft for Europe's Galileo navigation project -- Surrey and EADS Astrium are likely to be in competition more frequently in the coming years.

Nigeria: Nigeria Targets $70million Annual Revenue From NIGCOMSAT-1

This Day (Lagos)

8 May 2007
Posted to the web 8 May 2007

Oke Epia
Abuja

Ahead of the official launch of Nigeria's first communication satellite, it has been revealed that the country stands to generate an annual revenue of about 70 million U.S. Dollars from the direct sales of slots.

Also, the country will be saved some 100 million dollars spent annually on information traffic via other satellites while targeting to secure 10 percent in the short term, of the about 660million U.S. Dollars spent by African countries on the provision of communication traffic outside the continent thereby curbing capital flight.

Making these disclosures yesterday at a press briefing in Abuja, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Engr. Ahmed Rufai, said a conservative 56 percent Return on Investment (ROI) rate has been targeted when the satellite is fully subscribed.
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He said a period of not later than six years will see the company breaking even on investment, explaining however, that it would be difficult to put a figure on the total amount spent to bring the project on stream.

Rufai stated that it is estimated that revenue generation from NIGCOMSAT-1 would be more than what is generated from oil by 2010 as "Nigeria would have fully plugged into the global knowledge-based revolution opening a new dawn of digital opportunity for Africa."

The MD said as part of the benefits to Nigerians, NIGCOMSAT will delve into the provision of end-user services in rural telephony which will bring call rates to as low as 10 naira per minute when the company secures the appropriate license from the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC).

naija said:

Nigeria gets first African space centre:banana:

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

HISTORY was made yesterday in Abuja as Nigeria's dream of becoming the hub of space technology development in Africa received a boost with President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioning the Nigerian Space Centre (NSC).

The centre, said to be the first space centre in Africa, has a ground control station/ network operation centre for communications satellites; houses the ground receiving station for earth observation satellites; and contains the first phase of the Satellite Design Centre/Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Centre, a multipurpose Conference Centre (under construction) and a Planetarium (under construction).

Some of the ancillary facilities include the utility sub-station and police station.

The centre also houses the administrative building and serves as permanent site for the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), among others.

The President, who noted that the establishment of the National Space Technology Centre was critical to the development of space technology in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, maintained that it would assist greatly in realising the country's aspirations in space science and technology.

He said the event marked another milestone in the country's quest to optimise the use of science and technology to promote sustainable national development and improved quality of life for the people.

Noting that space technology is key to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives of "our holistic reform agenda as encapsulated in the NEEDS document, he stated: "It guarantees the availability and speedy access to real-time data and geo-spatial information, as well as the availability of relevant infrastructure and backbone for information communication."

He assured that Nigeria remained committed to the Millennium Development Goals, adding that this commitment had

spurred his administration towards embarking on programmes and initiatives that would effectively address the challenges of poverty, food security, infrastructure development, sustainable energy, affordable health and housing, and protection from natural and man-induced disasters.

He continued: "It is imperative therefore to integrate space technology applications into the various stages of our sustainable development efforts.

"The Federal Government took a bold step by embarking on satellite systems development through the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency in 1999 and the approval of the National Space Policy and Programme in 2001. This effort resulted in the launch of the first earth observation satellite, NigeriaSat-1, in September 2003.

"By this unique achievement, Nigeria has registered not only its footprint in space but also its name as a satellite data provider. I am informed that the satellite is performing well and has captured over 2,000 images covering the entire country and different parts of the world. I am pleased to note that

NigeriaSat-1 imagery has been variously applied to tackle some of our socio-economic problems."

He listed such areas of intervention to include Fadama rice production, cassava yield prediction, natural resources management, settlement mapping and transportation planning, gully erosion mitigation, desertification early warning, deforestation monitoring and Niger Delta environmental change monitoring.

Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice, announced at the occasion that the first Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat-1) project, a critical ICT infrastructure backbone for the entire African continent, would be launched from Xi Chang Launch Centre in China on May 14, 2007.

Click to expand...

that's a good news.awesome kay:

Algerian Space Agency, Sonatrach sign agreement on monitoring oil infrastructures
10/04/2006


[File] Meziane

The Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) and Sonatrach signed a frame agreement for co-operation in the field of using space technology in activities related to gas and oil on Sunday (9 April) in Algiers. The agreement envisages monitoring and insuring oil and gas infrastructures and supporting drilling projects. According to Sonatrach General Manager Mohamed Meziane, the company needs satellite photos for new prospects and data concerning earthquakes. Sonatrach has provided technical and material support to ASAL that made possible the creation of a 15-year space programme from 2006-2020. (

Nigeria's communications satellite goes into orbit Sunday

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

THE Nigerian Communication Satellite will go into orbit on Sunday, May 13, 2007 (Nigerian time) from a military base in China. By Chinese time, it is on May10, 2007.

This confirmation, which came from the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), also gives the exact launch time as 5.01 p.m. Nigerian time. By that time on Sunday, the NIGCOMSAT-1, the first in Africa, will be deployed into orbit, a distance of 35,700 kilometres from earth and the launch pad.

A statement from the Head, Media and Corporate Affairs of NASRDA, Felix Ale, disclosed that the Federal Government would be sending a high powered delegation to represent the country at the event.

He listed the members of the team to include the Minister of Science and technology, Prof. Turner Isoun; Principal Secretary to the President, Steve Oransanye and the man at the centre of it all, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice.

Felix described the launch of the Nigerian Communication Satellite as a monumental achievement for Nigerians, and the present administration under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

He stressed: "It will not only signify the beginning of economic and technological emancipation of Nigeria as a nation, but the entire African continent.

"The launch of the Nigerian Communication Satellite is expected to be broadcast live from China by the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA."

He added that NASRDA under the leadership of Boroffice has embarked on a number of projects which culminated in the launch of NigeriaSat-1 on September 27, 2003.

"It is on record that for the first time in Nigeria, the successful launch of Nigeriasat-1 facilitated easy access to satellite data at affordable cost."

As a follow-up to this, he said the agency has also identified and commissioned a number of satellite-based projects that are strategic to national development, especially in the areas of boosting sustainable food production, resource inventory and management, ecological and disaster management, infrastructure development and sustainable health delivery.

"Therefore, the launch of the Nigerian Communication Satellite by the agency at this point in time is strategic and very timely as it will serve as a major information and communication technology backbone which Africa requires to face the challenges of

globalisation."

Nigeria: FG to Establish Avian Influenza Research Centre

Chinyere Okoye
Lagos

Health Minister, Professor Eyitayo Lambo, has said the Federal Government is planning to establish an avian influenza research centre.

Lambo, who made this known at the opening of the first African International Symposium on Avian and Pandemic Influenza and Anti-virals, said the centre would collaborate with global research institutions.

Argentina and Algeria will construct a satellite Its development is one of the projects in the agreement of space cooperation suscripto by both countries A new satellite of teleobservación of the hi-res Earth, that will be developed during next the three years, is the project more ambitious than it in the evening contemplates the agreement of space cooperation signed yesterday by representatives of the National Commission of Space Activities (Conae), of Argentina, and its Algerian pair, the Space Agency of Algeria (ASAL). "satellite SAC-F/ALSAT-2 will be designed based on the space plans Argentine and Algerian - doctor Frank Conrado Varotto said yesterday in a press conference, executive and technical director of the Conae -. This new mission will contribute to Argentina information related to the management of the desertificación and the panoramic epidemiología." Although it is little what Argentinean-Algerian can be said so far of the future satellite, doctor Varotto I indicate that it will very count on optical cameras of technology outpost and that its weight will oscillate between the 700 and the 800 kilos. The agreement, first signed by the mentioned space agencies, was within the framework made of the Third Meeting of the Mixed Commission of Economic, Commercial, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation between Algeria and Argentina, and contemplates in addition the possibility that the Conae makes use of the information that successfully obtains Algerian satellite ALSAT-1, in orbit from November of 2002, as well as such benefits for Algeria in relation to Argentine satellite SAC-C. "Each instrument that comprises of a teleobservación mission is designed with an objective, but when it can become that the instruments of different satellites observe a same place, when combining that information the result is much more that a simple sum", added doctor Varotto. The agreement also raises the accomplishment of joint studies between Argentina and Algeria for the development of no longer observacionales satellites, like the SAC-C, but of geostationary telecommunications or, as well as the formation of human resources (Algerian) in the space area in the Argentine Institute of High Space Studies Mario Gulich. A relation with history The relation between Argentina and Algeria in the space scope is not new, although yes recent: it began the 13 of 2002 July, with the company/signature in the Agreement of Space Cooperation with pacific aims suscripto by both nations. Nevertheless, the relation of scientific cooperation between both countries is of longer data: in 1989, Algeria acquired a nuclear reactor of investigation and Argentine irradiation called NUR. Time later, a nuclear fuel plant. "We have a relation with Argentina in the field of the technology, all a history in the nuclear field - it commented the NATION Omar Farouk Zerhouni, director of the advice of administration of the Algerian agency space -. Now that we are doing ours first passages in the space, we immediately integrated ourselves with our Argentine friends so that they have to us of the hand and to make the way altogether space

Nigeria launches communications satellite into orbit

Cheers as Nigeria launches communications satellite into orbit

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

TRUE to prediction, the much awaited launch of the Nigerian communication satellite, the first of its kind in Africa, took place and went on the 20 to 30 - minute trip into orbit where it is expected to provide robust and reliable satellite services to citizens in Africa and Europe.
The excitement at the site, according to Nigerian officials at the launch, was "electrifying."

Head of Corporate Affairs and Media at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mr. Felix Ale, told The Guardian on phone that the launch was successful.

He quoted the agency's Director General Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice, as saying that the 30-minute movement of the satellite went on without delay.
According to Ale, "Prof. Boroffice has also called President Olusegun Obasanjo to inform him of the success of the launch. The President was impressed and full of praises for NASRDA.

The NASRDA boss described the launch as a monumental technological leap and victory for Africa.

"With the successful launch of NIGCOMSAT-1, technological revolution in Africa has started as nobody can stop it."
Ale said the Nigerian Ambassador to China, Mr. J.O. Coker was among top Nigerian and African officials who gathered to witness the launch at the site.

He reported that Boroffice thanked Obasanjo for the confidence reposed in the agency to embark on the project.

The extraordinarily long ascent of NIGCOMSAT-1 spacecraft began at 00:01hrs Beijing time May 14, 2007 (5.01 p.m.) Nigerian time, May 13) as the first stage main engine with four boosters of LongMarch 3B rocketed away from Launch Pad 2 of Xichang Satellite Launch Centre located 65 kilometres away from Xichang region.

Tracking cameras at the launch complex followed the rocket's fiery golden tail flashing through the partly cloudy pre-dawn skies of Sichuan Province in Southwest China.

The members of the Federal Government's team to China, who witnessed the event included the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, Principal Secretary to the President, Mr. Steve Oransanye and Boroffice.

:cheers:

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.

well done :bow: we need the rest of Africa to follow Nigeria's footsteps and stop relying on western satellites where they also monitor and control our communication systems.

I remember when Bush was visiting Tanzania the Americans switched of all mobile communications in Arusha, (which also affected parts of southern Kenya) like they own the place.
Well done Nigeria:cheers:

Algeria launchs second satellite
14/09/2005

The launch of the second Algerian satellite, AlSat 2, was announced in Oran on Monday (12 September) during a ceremonial signing of an agreement between the Algerian Space Agency and the Directorate-General of the Forests. The new-generation satellite will offer more accurate photographs and will assist in the monitoring of Algerian forests by providing real-time data on fires. The National Centre of Space Technology developed the satellite tool, providing geographical information to prevent forest fires


AlSat-2 (Algeria Satellite-2)

AlSat-2 is an optical Earth observation project of CNTS (Algerian National Space Technology Centre). In Feb. 2006, CNTS signed an agreement with EADS Astrium SAS to design and built two satellites. The first of these, AlSat-2A, will be integrated and tested in France at EADS Astrium, whereas the second one, AlSat-2B, will be integrated in Algeria within the small satellite development center (UDPS) in Oran. The AlSat-2 program includes the construction of two ground control segments as well as one station for high-speed downlinks of imagery permitting spacecraft operations from Algerian territory, a country of 2.38 million km2 in size. 1) 2) 3) 4)

The cooperation agreement makes provision for Algerian engineers to work side-by-side with the EADS Astrium development team, with intensive training given in space technology. The AlSat-2 contract lays the foundation for sustained co-operation with Algerian institutions in the fields of space technology for Earth observation, and its applications, as well as in the field of telecommunications.

The system will enable Algeria to obtain very high quality images for use in a wide variety of applications: cartography, management of agriculture, forestry, water, mineral and oil resources, crop protection, management of natural disasters and land planning.

The Algerian government created its Space Agency in January 2002, ASAL (Agence Spatiale Algérienne) or Algerian Space Agency, to develop, promote, and manage the countries space program.

Background: AlSat-1 of CNTS is being flown in the DMC (Disaster Monitoring Constellation), a 5 spacecraft optical imaging constellation developed and coordinated by SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd), UK. AlSat-1 was launched on Nov. 28, 2002, the spacecraft is operating nominally as of 2007 providing multispectral imagery of 32 m resolution in a swath of 600 km.
:cheers:

icosium said:

Algeria launchs second satellite
14/09/2005

The launch of the second Algerian satellite, AlSat 2, was announced in Oran on Monday (12 September) during a ceremonial signing of an agreement between the Algerian Space Agency and the Directorate-General of the Forests. The new-generation satellite will offer more accurate photographs and will assist in the monitoring of Algerian forests by providing real-time data on fires. The National Centre of Space Technology developed the satellite tool, providing geographical information to prevent forest fires


AlSat-2 (Algeria Satellite-2)

AlSat-2 is an optical Earth observation project of CNTS (Algerian National Space Technology Centre). In Feb. 2006, CNTS signed an agreement with EADS Astrium SAS to design and built two satellites. The first of these, AlSat-2A, will be integrated and tested in France at EADS Astrium, whereas the second one, AlSat-2B, will be integrated in Algeria within the small satellite development center (UDPS) in Oran. The AlSat-2 program includes the construction of two ground control segments as well as one station for high-speed downlinks of imagery permitting spacecraft operations from Algerian territory, a country of 2.38 million km2 in size. 1) 2) 3) 4)

The cooperation agreement makes provision for Algerian engineers to work side-by-side with the EADS Astrium development team, with intensive training given in space technology. The AlSat-2 contract lays the foundation for sustained co-operation with Algerian institutions in the fields of space technology for Earth observation, and its applications, as well as in the field of telecommunications.

The system will enable Algeria to obtain very high quality images for use in a wide variety of applications: cartography, management of agriculture, forestry, water, mineral and oil resources, crop protection, management of natural disasters and land planning.

The Algerian government created its Space Agency in January 2002, ASAL (Agence Spatiale Algérienne) or Algerian Space Agency, to develop, promote, and manage the countries space program.

Background: AlSat-1 of CNTS is being flown in the DMC (Disaster Monitoring Constellation), a 5 spacecraft optical imaging constellation developed and coordinated by SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd), UK. AlSat-1 was launched on Nov. 28, 2002, the spacecraft is operating nominally as of 2007 providing multispectral imagery of 32 m resolution in a swath of 600 km.
:cheers:

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Was this launched 2 years ago?? :cheers:

:cheers:
EADS Astrium to supply Algeria’s ALSAT-2 optical observation systemEADS Astrium has signed a contract with the Algerian National Space Technology Centre (CNTS) for the development of the ALSAT-2 system, which consists of two optical observation satellites. ALSAT-2 is the first Earth observation satellite system from the AstroSat100 family to be built using the Myriade platform.
Paris, 01 February 2006
The ALSAT-2 contract covers the design and development of two satellites. The first, ALSAT-2A, will be integrated and tested in France at EADS Astrium, whereas the second, ALSAT-2B, will be integrated in Algeria within the small satellite development center (UDPS) in Oran. The ALSAT-2 programme also includes the construction of two ground control segments and one image station allowing the satellites to be operated and controlled from Algerian territory.

ALSAT-2 is equipped with a latest-generation payload capable of supplying images with a resolution of 2.5 metres in panchromatic mode and 10 metres in each of 4 colour bands in multispectral mode. It draws on EADS Astrium’s extensive experience in Earth observation, most particularly with respect to the silicon carbide telescopes which are being integrated onto a Myriade class satellite platform which was designed in cooperation with CNES, the French Space agency.

Its system performance leads the world, confirming EADS Astrium’s leadership and pioneering role in high-performance Earth observation systems based on 150kg-class satellites designed for operational needs.

The CNTS, affiliated with the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL), will be responsible for managing the ALSAT-2 programme and operating the satellite system.

The system will enable Algeria to obtain very high quality images for use in a wide variety of applications: cartography, management of agriculture, forestry, water, mineral and oil resources, crop protection, management of natural disasters and land planning.

The co-operation agreement makes provision for Algerian engineers to work side-by-side the EADS Astrium development team. They will be given intensive training in space technology. The ALSAT-2 contract lays the foundation for sustained co-operation with Algerian institutions in the fields of space technology for Earth observation and its applications, as well as in the field of telecommunications.

This is the fifth co-operation contract signed by EADS Astrium with an export customer in the Earth observation field. It follows the FORMOSAT-2 satellite launched on 20 May 2004, the satellites KOMPSAT-2 and COMS for delivery to Korea, and the THEOS satellite currently being developed for Thailand.

EADS Astrium is Europe’s leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment. EADS Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2004 EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.6 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of €31.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 110,000.