Metro
Nigeria’s N34bn satellite grounded in space
The N34 billion communications satellite launched into orbit under a deal between Nigeria and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) in 2004 has remained idle due to inter agency rivalry between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
Ripples also gathered, that lack of funds to pay for the training of engineers abroad to update their knowledge, has also contributed to the multi-billion naira satellite remaining idle in space for some time now in spite of its enormous communication resources.
This development has contributed to the high cost of internet data, inability to meet the June 17 International Telecommunications Union Digital Switch Over deadline and absence of real time tele-medicine in the country, amongst others.
Read also: How we cut off Radio Biafra, by NBC
Sources revealed that NigComSat-1R’s transponders have not been put into use even for once since it was re-launched in 2011. The satellite has 28 active transponders and 12 redundant transponders as payloads and all of them are reportedly staying idle.
NigComSat 1 was launched into orbit from China on 13th May 2007 but got de-orbited (failed) in November 2008 due to some technical fault.
It was thereafter launched the second time by CGWIC on 19th December 2011 with a design life span of 15 years.
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