NIGCOMSAT 1, 1R

NIGCOMSAT 1 [NASRDA]

Nigeria reportedly signed in December 2004 a contract with CGWIC for the design, manufacture and launch of the NIGCOMSAT 1 (Nigerian Communication Satellite). It was based on the chinese DFH-4 Bus and featured 4 C-band, 14 Ku-band, 8 Ka-band and 2 L-band transponders.

The satellite was successfully launched on 13.05.2007 on a CZ-3B/E booster.

In April 2008, NIGCOMSAT 1 lost power from the southern solar array. The satellite failed in November 2008 due to a technical error of the satellite's northern solar array and was sent to a graveyard orbit as it became apparent, that the satellite could not be recovered.

In March 2009 Nigeria signed a contract for the free delivery and launch of a replacement satellite called NIGCOMSAT 1R. It will be launched in 2011.