NIGCOMSAT 1R

Spacecraft n°:

Nigerian spacecraft n°: 5

Launch data: Designation  38014 / 11077A Launch date  19 Dec 2011 - 16:41:04 UT Launch site  Xichang, LC2 Launch vehicle  CZ-3BE (Y21) Mission  Commercial: Communication Geostationary orbit: Perigee / Apogee  35793 x 35795 km Eccentricity  2.37E-05 Inclination  0.2 deg Period  1436.1 min

Description:

• Nigcomsat 1R's communications package includes 28 active transponders and seven antennas reaching across sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Central Asia. The transponders will broadcast in C-band, Ku-band, Ka-band and L-band, according to Nigcomsat. The satellite will be positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 42.5 degrees east longitude. China added several upgrades to Nigcomsat 1R to improve its performance over the preceding Nigcomsat 1 satellite. A Ku-band spot beam on Nigcomsat 1R will provide communications links between Nigeria and China, according to Nigcomsat's website. Nigcomsat 1R could stimulate economic growth in Africa, helping create jobs and saving customers expensive charges for telephone calls and broadband Internet access. The satellite's C-band payload will reach across Africa, while its Ku-band transponders will be aimed at regions of southwestern Africa and China. The Ka-band system will be wired into spot beams focused on Europe, Nigeria and South Africa, according to Nigcomsat. Nigcomsat 1R will transmit two L-band navigation channels make for more accurate satellite positioning services in Africa.

Mission details:

• China launched the Nigcomsat 1R satelite for Nigeria into a 174 x 41820 km x 24.8 deg geostationary transfer orbit. The 5-tonne DFH-4 satellite was built by China's CAST organization and replaced the failed Nigcomsat 1 which operated from 2007 to 2008. It carries a C, Ku, Ka and L-band communications payload.
  This flight was the 18th Chinese orbital launch attempt of 2011.