Nigeria Confirms NigcomSat-1 Launch in May

LAGOS, Nigeria, Feb. 16, 2007/Satnews Daily/ ― Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (Narsda) has confirmed a May launch date for the country's second satellite, the Nigerian Communication Satellite-1 (NigcomSat-1).

Narsda said the Chinese-built satellite has been completed and is ready for commissioning. A series of tests to ensure the satellite’s operational efficiency are now being conducted. Prof. Robert Borofice, Narsda Director-General, said the satellite would launch before May 19.

He said the satellite’s previous launch date in March was postponed since the agency wanted to carry out a number of checks “to ensure that everything works out well.” Once in orbit, the satellite will be handed over to NigcomSat Nigeria Ltd, a commercial firm that will undertake marketing and sale of satellite bandwidth and other services.

The satellite project is being supported by a $200 million credit facility from the Eximbank of China. NigcomSat-1 is China’s first ever sale of a made-in-China satellite to any country.

China closed the deal in December 2005 and beat 21 companies from the United States, France, Britain, Italy and Israel, among others. Before the satellite sale to Nigeria, China only manufactured satellite components for other countries, but never an entire satellite.

Nigeria said China had submitted a "superlative proposal" and its technical capability and expertise had met stringent performance requirements. China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) described the Nigerian sale as a breakthrough in China's international commercial space program since China asserted its capability as a manufacturer and launcher of satellites for foreign customers.

CGWIC is the sole commercial organization authorized by the Chinese government to provide international commercial launch services, in-orbit satellite delivery and international space technology cooperation.

Recent Stories:

Nigeria's Largest ISP Taps PanAmSat’s PAS-1R as New Hub 

South Africa Confirms Satellite Launch in May

North African Channel nessma Chooses GlobeCast for International Satellite Distribution 

African Telecom Operator Chooses Gilat’s SkyAbis CDMA2000 to Expand Satellite Cellular Backhaul