Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - All is set for Ghana to launch a satellite dish that would enable scientists from around the world to view and study the world space from within the country at Kuntunse, near Accra.
The launching of the first phase of the conversion of a telecom dish into a Satellite dish on Thursday August 24, by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would make Ghana the second country in Africa to own a satellite dish after South Africa.
After the launching, the second phase of the 32-meter antenna involving more engineering work would be carried out to help increase the sensitivity and speed of the dish from 0.09 degrees per second to 0.3 degree per seconds.
During a media briefing in Accra, officials from the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the South Africa based Square Kilometer Array Africa (SKA Africa), who collaborated to sponsor and build the dish told journalists that the facility would help put Ghana on a higher pedestal of countries that are into space science.
Professor Dickson Adomako, Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) of the GAEC, said the first phase of the dish to be launched involved the structural work of the antenna, electrical works and the total configuration of the antenna which used to be a redundant telecommunication dish belonging to Vodafone Ghana that used to only point at one direction.
He the dish which can move to all directions, pointing to a particular source that one want to target, was built by Ghanaian artisans who were trained by South African experts.
He said currently, there are some science commissioning going on at the Kuntunse site to be able to detect some of the celestial bodies to prove the effectiveness of the dish.
He said by the middle of 2019, the SKA Africa partners would totally hand over the dish to the Ghanaian community to manage.
Speaking on the benefits of the Satellite dish to Ghana, Prof Adomako said many young Ghanaian scientists have been trained both in South Africa and in Ghana for their PhDs as well as in the UK where some Ghanaians are being trained as astronomists and astrophysics to help man the dish.
He said many electrical engineers, software engineers, and mechanical engineers as well as certified welders have been trained to become very useful in the society.
He said a lot of data on various entities could be gathered with the dish to help institutions and the country to plan better.
On the direct usefulness of the dish to citizens, Prof Adomako said: 'this is purely science work but if you look into the heavens there are a lot of giant clouds that consist of gases and dust, planet and a whole lots of things. And then the universe is still expanding and so when we look at the stars or point at a planet we will be able to know about the composition, movement, and structure of the universe which scientists are more eager to learn and know about.
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'But to the layman, the benefits will be the spinoffs that we can get out of what we are doing. Also a lot of astronomers will be coming to Ghana which would enhance the network of what Ghanaian scientists are doing in that area.
'Because it is a big data that we are going to work with and that will increase internet facility within that area, it will be a source of tourist's attraction with many astronomers coming to Ghana and will serve as a form of income generation to the country.
'Ghana is almost positioned at the centre of the world and so with this Dish you can see the northern hemisphere as well as the southern and so there are of opportunities for other astronomers to come and use the facility'.
He said in all nine partner African countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, and Madagascar, who are studying the success of Ghana's satellite to enable them also launch and use theirs in their respective countries.
Prof said the internet connectivity within the Kuntunse area has improved so well while the roads within the vicinity has been constructed.
Ms Anita Loots, Head of Africa Planning Office of the SKA Africa, said Ghana's satellite dish is a timely facility that would help in the effort of African scientists finding solutions for Africa.
She said: 'attaining the SDGs depends very much on Africa's ability to gather data on health, education, agriculture, sanitation and the economies to make informed decision', and that was what the satellite dish would help in attaining.
Ms Loots said after the handing over of the facility to Ghana in 2019, the country would need to deploy its Science, Technology and Innovation funds being established by government through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to train many more people to get into laboratories and explore their scientific talents and come out with the best solutions for Africa.
She said South Africa supported the construction of Ghana's dish with GH¢30 million from their African Renaissance fund.
Ghana is also supporting the construction with two million Ghana cedis until the 2019 period.

SOURCE: http://www.mediahelm.com.ng/2017/09/ghana-is-second-african-country-to-own.html

Which way 9ja?

In the past I had this conviction that Nigeria was one of the best countries in Africa, until I travelled to togo and kenya, I was astonished. And this are the countries we were looking down on. Can you imagine, Nigeria was far better than China in 1960. Satan will not forgive those rulers that brought Nigeria to this detrimental and appaling condition.

.

Where are all those idiots who kept makin' noise about Nigeria's many satellites last month?

Lemme go look 4 them & mention dem...


Oya...
Ijaya123, slimthugchimee2, Torylanez, alen4smith, greenpasture, Xbee007, Ramos16, Bigsteveg, SSBN (chief idiot), texazzpete, Zane2point4, sesaan, PUSH1, 12inches1, claremont, MrAJQ, Adminisher, oderinde151, EnkayDezign,



This is just a list of ignorant nairaland idiots who helped Nigeria launch multiple satellites. They can tag their cohorts later.

Nonsense.

ShyCypher:
Where are all those idiots who kept makin' noise about Nigeria's many satellites last month?

Lemme go look 4 them & mention dem...


Oya...
Ijaya123, slimthugchimee2, Torylanez, alen4smith, greenpasture, Xbee007, Ramos16, Bigsteveg, SSBN (chief idiot), texazzpete, Zane2point4, sesaan, PUSH1, 12inches1, claremont, MrAJQ, Adminisher, oderinde151, EnkayDezign,



This is just a list of ignorant nairaland idiots who helped Nigeria launch multiple satellites. They can tag their cohorts later.

Nonsense.

I do remember that my conversation with you centred around air surveillance. And I specifically mentioned Nigeria's ATR 42 aircraft in this regard. I posted pictures which you refused to take cognizance, I pointed out the camera on the under carriage and the planes ability to operate as a command and control centre for other assets but you remained unconvinced even in the face of facts.

The ATR 42 does not get its data from satellites but from its own belly mounted camera. You seem very fixated on satellites for some reason.

There is nothing more I can do to help you man.

Idiot. Not only is Nigeria Africa's premier space Super power, Nigeria is the only country in Africa to manage the Space satellite of a European country. In 2015 Nigeria beat out competition from the European Space Agency, NASA and Russia to win the contract to manage Belarus's satellite for 15 years. Nigeria is the only African country to build its own satellite NIGCOMSATX. Do your homework before spewing crap like a teenager with hormonal problems.

Nigeria Wins Bid to Manage Belarus’ Space Satellite


Nigeria has made history in the global space technology market by becoming the first country in the Sub-Sahara Africa to manage a foreign satellite, after the emergence of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) limited, the operator of NigComSat-R, the Nigerian Communication Satellite as the winner of a bidding process to provide In-Orbit test (IOT) and carrier Spectrum Monitoring (CSM) services for Belintersat-1 Satellite.

This was announced by China Great Industries Corporation (CGWIC), a renowned satellite manufacturing company in China and a technical partner to NigComSat.

The Head Public Affairs, NigComSat, Adamu Idris, who revealed this on Wednesday during a media parley in Abuja, said the operation will commence on 16 January 2016, the official date for the launch of the Belintersat-1 in Belarus and will last for a period of 15 years.

Adamu said the bid was a keenly contested exercise between Nigeria and other bidders with over 20 years of experience in satellite management.

According to the General manager satellite Operations, NigComsat, Danjuma Ndihgihdah, Nigeria won the bid due to the high capacity of her ground facility at NigComSat base in Abuja, her human capacity resource, and the confidence reposed in NigComSat by the Chinese giant (CGWIC).

With this feat, Nigeria becomes the first African nation to compete at the international stage as a major player in space technology.

Idris said, the winning of the bid by Nigeria represents a milestone for the country and a clear manifestation that NigComSat and indeed Nigeria has developed the capacity to provide highly technical services in the satellite communication industry.

On the benefits derivable from the leasing services, he said Nigeria would rake in revenue from the 15 years service provision to Belarus and build more capacity for Nigerian engineers, as well as open more frontiers for Nigeria as a global player in the space.

In addition to the traditional services of transponder leasing, he stated that NigComSat would be providing broadband services, enterprise solutions, secured communications and solutions amongs others over Nigeria and other 35 African countries such as Gabon, Cote D’Ivore and Ghana.

On security, he said that the agency has been offering the security agencies with communication services.
Belintersat-1 is a communication satellite owned by the government of Belarus, manufactured and due for launch in January 2016 by CGWIC.

The NigComsat-1R was launched in November 2011, as a replacement to the NigComSat-1 shortly it was de-orbited by the agency at no cost following its technical failure.

It was designed as a regional satellite with four bands to serve about 35 African countries.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications will be leading Nigerian delegation to witness the launch of the Belintersat-1 in January 2016, and to discuss other related partnerships and ways to further improve, deepen and strengthen the Sino-Nigeria relationship.

https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/179222-2/

2016: Nigeria begins Satellite management business from Jan 16

Nigeria has become the first African nation to compete at the international stage as a major player in space technology, as the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT- operator of NigComSat-R), the Nigerian Communication Satellite had won the bid to provide communications satellite technology services to the Republic of Belarus over a 15-year period.

Besides leasing transponders to neighbouring Ghana, Gabon, Cote’dVoire and several other countries using its NIGCOMSAT -1R infrastructure, wining the Belarus satellite bid has further positioned Nigeria among top global communications satellite players.

With this development experts said benefit now accrue for Nigeria ranging from financial gain, expertise acumen in-terms of security and more employment opportunity for indigenous engineers and management specialists.

This was announced by China Great Industries Corporation (CGWIC), a renowned satellite manufacturing company in China and a technical partner to NigComSat.

The Head Public Affairs, NigComSat, Adamu Idris, who revealed this, said the operation will commence on 16 January 2016, the official date for the launch of the Belintersat-1 in Belarus and will last for a period of 15 years.

Adamu said the bid was a keenly contested exercise between Nigeria and other bidders with over 20 years of experience in satellite management.

According to the General manager satellite Operations, NigComsat, Danjuma Ndihgihdah, Nigeria won the bid due to the high capacity of her ground facility at NigComSat base in Abuja, her human capacity resource, and the confidence reposed in NigComSat by the Chinese giant (CGWIC).

With this feat, Nigeria becomes the first African nation to compete at the international stage as a major player in space technology.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications will be leading Nigerian delegation to witness the launch of the Belintersat-1 in January 2016, and to discuss other related partnerships and ways to further improve, deepen and strengthen the Sino-Nigeria relationship.

http://www.crat-arct.org/en/news/news/news-115

NIGCOMSAT to earn 1.8bn for managing Belarus’ satellite

The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) will get N1.8billion for managing the Belarus’ satellite, the NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director, Ms Abimbola Alale has said.

NGCOMSAT last year won a very competitive bid to manage satellite for Belarus republic for 15 years but the agency then kept silent on the cost implication of the deal to Nigeria.

But answering questions from journalists in Abuja today, Ms Alale said Nigeria would get $400,000 annually for 15 years for the management of the satellite.

NIGCOMSAT is to provide a 15 year In-Orbit Test (IOT) and Carrier Spectrum Monitoring (CSM) Services for the Belarus’ satellite.

Apart from N1.8 bn, the Belintersat-1 satellite management deal will also provide hundreds of jobs for Nigerian engineers, says Alale, who was speaking at the unveiling of the new ICT road map at Radio House in Abuja.

Belintersat-1 had already been launched on January 16 in China by China Great Wall Industries Corporation (CGWIC).

“This is a big feat for Nigeria and clearly shows that NIGCOMSAT and indeed Nigeria has developed the capacity to provide highly technical services in the satellite communication industry”, said Ms Alale

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/it-world/nigcomsat-to-earn-1-8bn-for-managing-belarus-satellite/130770.html

So please, the best time you want to bash Nigeria with your senseless population, at least sped 10 mb of data to research the crap you re talking about, since you cannkt tell the difference between a satellite dish and a remote sensing satellite in orbit.

ShyCypher:
Where are all those idiots who kept makin' noise about Nigeria's many satellites last month?

Lemme go look 4 them & mention dem...


Oya...
Ijaya123, slimthugchimee2, Torylanez, alen4smith, greenpasture, Xbee007, Ramos16, Bigsteveg, SSBN (chief idiot), texazzpete, Zane2point4, sesaan, PUSH1, 12inches1, claremont, MrAJQ, Adminisher, oderinde151, EnkayDezign,



This is just a list of ignorant nairaland idiots who helped Nigeria launch multiple satellites. They can tag their cohorts later.

Nonsense.

You feel like an idiot now dont you?

You just tagged us here to show us more of your idiocy right?

Smh