TheNewsGuru

Tag: Satellite

  • Nigeria to launch 2 satellites soon – NIGCOMSAT

    Nigeria to launch 2 satellites soon – NIGCOMSAT

    The Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited on Monday said that it was collaborating with China Great Wall Industry Cooperation (CGWIC) to launch two additional satellites.

    Mr Samson Osagie, the Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development of the organisation said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday that the satellites would be deployed in the next 36 months.

    Osagie explained that the durability of a satellite was 15 years, and that the Nigeria’s current satellite was seven years old.

    “NIGCOMSAT is collaborating with China Great Wall Industry Cooperation and we are negotiating to launch additional two satellites in 36 months.

    “Presently Nigeria does not have the capital to build and finance its own satellite which is why the collaboration is needed.

    “The first satellite by Nigeria was launched in 2007 but had issues and was de-orbited. It was later re-launched in 2011 which makes it seven years now.

    “The life span of a satellite is 15 years, which means that the first one is still functional and it is important to note that negotiations for projects like this take time,” Osagie said.

    According to him, the additional satellites will meet the needs of telecommunication, maritime, defence, broadcast media, Africa, parts of Asia and others.

    He said that the two satellites would be launched separately, adding that negotiations on their operations were ongoing simultaneously.

    NAN reports that NIGCOMSAT-1, the first satellite was originally launched in May 2007, but de-orbited due to malfunctioning of the Solar Array Deployment Assembly.

    The satellite was later re-launched in 2011 as NIGCOMSAT-1R and had been in the orbit since then.

     

  • FCC approves SpaceX application for 4,425 broadband satellite network

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved an application by Space Exploration Holdings, doing business as SpaceX, to provide broadband services using satellite technology in the United States and around the world.

    This is as contained in FCC documents, and with this action, the Commission takes another step to increase high-speed broadband availability and competition in the United States.

    This is the first approval of a U.S.-licensed satellite constellation to provide broadband services using a new generation of low-Earth orbit satellite technologies.

    TheNewsGuru reports SpaceX proposed a satellite system comprised of 4,425 satellites and was granted authority to use frequencies in the Ka (20/30 GHz) and Ku (11/14 GHz) bands to provide global Internet connectivity.

    The Memorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization yesterday outlines the conditions under which SpaceX is authorized to provide service using its proposed NGSO FSS satellite constellation.

    Specifically, the Order specifies the conditions to ensure compliance with Commission rules, and to protect other operations in the requested frequency bands.

    Over the past year, the FCC has approved requests by OneWeb, Space Norway, and Telesat to access the United States market to provide broadband services using satellite technology that holds promise to expand Internet access, particularly in remote and rural areas across the country.

    These approvals are the first of their kind for a new generation of large, non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service systems, and the Commission continues to process other, similar requests.

     

  • NCC moves to regulate use of satellite communications services

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said the commission would create a legal framework to regulate the use of satellite communications services and networks.

    Danbatta represented by Mr Austin Nwulune, the Director, Spectrum Administration Department, NCC said this at the Public Inquiry on the Commercial Satellite Communication Guideline and the Draft Consumer Code of Practice Regulations (as Amended).

    According to him, the draft commercial satellite communications guidelines are aimed at creating a legal framework to regulate the provision and use of satellite communication services and networks.

    “In whole or in part within Nigeria or on a ship or aircraft registered in the country.

    “The intention behind the development of the guidelines is to ensure a well-developed and organised satellite communications market in Nigeria.

    “With appropriate legal framework that meets international best practices, encourage innovation and guarantee public safety, ‘’ he said.

    Danbatta said the guidelines would ensure effective management of scarce frequency resources, especially bands where frequency is shared between satellite and terrestrial systems.

    He said the guidelines would also encourage use of satellite connectivity to unserved areas that lack terrestrial transmission infrastructure backbone.

    The NCC boss said on the draft Consumer Code of Practice Regulations was an amendment on the previous regulations made in 2007.

    He said the guidelines would provide a more robust framework, effective and efficient processes /procedures to be followed by licensees in developing their individual consumer code to govern the provision of services and other related consumer practices.

    “This to ensure that consumers are adequately informed of the type of services being offered by operators, thereby aligning with the commission’s function of protecting the interests of consumers against unfair practices.

    “Furthermore, these regulations have been amended to reflect best practice in the industry,’’ he said.

    Danbatta said the public inquiry forum was part of the commission’s rule-making process aimed at ensuring wide consultation in the development of regulatory instruments in accordance with NCC Act, 2003.

    He said over the years, the process had proven invaluable in sourcing the opinions and inputs of stakeholders toward the development of sound regulatory frameworks for the Nigerian telecommunication industry.

    Mrs Yetunde Akinloye, the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC while speaking on the overview of the amended Consumer Code of Practice Regulations said all codes must be submitted to the commission for approval.

    Akinloye said approval should be granted within 30 days of submission of a code, unless the commission informs the licensee to amend the submitted code.

    She said an approved code shall be published in two national newspapers within 30 days of approval.

    “Licensees are required to provide a copy of the approved code to consumers on request,’’ she said.

     

  • China to launch first student satellite for scientific education

    China to launch first student satellite for scientific education

    China’s first nano-satellite with primary and middle school students involved in the development and building process will be launched into space Friday.

    The satellite, named after late Premier Zhou Enlai, was sent from its production base in Huai’an Youth Comprehensive Development Base in east China’s Jiangsu Province to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China’s Gansu Province, where a “CZ-11” solid fuel rocket is scheduled to put it into orbit Friday.

    Twenty teenagers who participated in the development project accompanied the transport group to the launch center and will witness the lift-off.

    Zhang Xiang, chief designer of the satellite, said that the nano-satellite, weighing two kg, is set to run in sun-synchronous orbit.

    Equipped with a HD optical camera, it can capture space photos with the highest resolution among those shot by other Chinese satellites for scientific education purpose.

    Zhang said that the students had taken their spare time to join the development and groundbased simulation performance of the satellite, and had learnt to assemble and practice voice data transfer and telecommunication applications.

    “A scientific satellite like this is like a teacher in space, carrying cameras or spectroscopes to study the upper atmosphere or to shoot space pictures of the stars.

    “Students can grasp the mystery of the universe through the messages transmitted by the teacher,” said Zhang, a professor with Nanjing University of Science and Engineering.

    The satellite project was approved in 2016.

    The administration office of Huai’an Youth Comprehensive Development Base is the main organiser of the project.
    It is aiming to become the largest and most advanced youth aerospace science museum in China.

    “The satellite not only offers an opportunity for local teenagers to engage in such an aerospace project, but stimulates enthusiasm in space science among all students in the schools,” said Wang Qiming, director of the administration office.

    “It is so much fun to know the secrets of a scientific satellite. I am proud of being part of the development,” said Lu Ke, a member of the young team.

    The student from the Huai’an Zhou Enlai Red Army Middle School is looking forward to watching the whole launch process Friday.

    “Watching our satellite lifting off will be so cool that I will probably be moved into tears,” he said.

     

  • NASA launches world’s smallest satellite designed by 18-year old

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched world’s smallest satellite designed by 18-year old Indian Tamil Nadu student, Rifath Sharook.

    Asian News International, (ANI) reported that the satellite, Kalamsat was flown into space in a NASA sounding rocket from a NASA facility in Wallops Island.

    The world’s smallest satellite project was reportedly sponsored by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, founder and chief executive officer of Space Kids India.

    Kesan said Kalamsat separated from the NASA rocket 125 minutes after it took off, and fell into the sea.

    “Kalamsat fell into the sea. It will be recovered and NASA will be sending it back to us for decoding the data,” Kesan told Times of India.

    “It’s a 3D printed satellite. It is for the first time that 3D printing technology is being used in space. We have made history. The world’s smallest satellite has been launched in space. It was not possible without my team,” excited 18-year old Sharook said speaking with ANI.

    Kalamsat beta
    Kalamsat beside a coin

    Sponsor Kesan described the launch as a “divine intervention”.

    TheNewsGuru reports the satellite, named after Indian former President APJ Abdul Kalam, weighs around 64 grams, fully 3-D printed, and can fit in anyone’s palm as it only a 3.8 cm cube.

    Kalamsat is equipped with nano Geiger Muller counter for measuring radiation in space. It is built with reinforced carbon fiber polymer.

    “Space is not unreachable… Space has got no boundaries and therefore, let’s all do research together and let’s conquer Mars soon,” ANI quotes Kesan as saying.