NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

NIGCOMSAT-1

Launch Time
Sun May 13, 2007 16:01 UTC

Rocket

Long March 3B/E
Image Credit: CASC
CASC
Status: Active
Price: $29.15 million
Liftoff Thrust: 5,986 kN
Payload to LEO: 11,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 5,550 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 56.3 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.2 m
Fairing Height: 9.56 m

Mission Details

NIGCOMSAT-1

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/G2 booster.

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

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 5,150.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

LC-2, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China

Stats

2007

20th orbital launch attempt

Long March 3

34th mission
3rd mission of 2007
29th successful mission
20th consecutive successful mission