NigComSat-1R, the Nigerian Communication Satellite is successfully utilising its L-band/ SBAS payload as the backbone in a partnership between NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Thales Alenia Space and the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa, and Madagascar, ASCENA to provide a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) that broadcasts signals over the Africa and the Indian Ocean (AFI) region.
A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Idris Adamu, in Abuja, ssid this aims to provide the first SBAS open service in this part of the world on NigComSat-1R satellite, a communications satellite managed and operated by NIGCOMSAT Ltd under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy of Nigeria.
The system prototype uses a reference stations network, the SAGAIE network deployed by CNES (National Centre for Space Studies, France) and ASCENA with the support of Thale Alenia Space.
The signal is broadcast via the SBAS payload on NigComSat-1R and uplink station in Abuja (Nigeria). It is compliant with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Minimum Operational Performance Standard developed by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) organization. It will be visible in the whole of Africa and the Indian Ocean up to the West Australia coast and also in Europe.
Dr. Abimbola Alale, Managing Director/CEO, NIGCOMSAT Ltd said: ‘We are proud to be part of this ambitious program to provide satellite navigation services in the African and Indian Ocean region. The use of our geostationary communication satellite, NigComSat-1R navigation payload to broadcast the first signal will be Africa’s premier communications satellite contribution to SBAS as a regional satellite-based augmentation system for the continent’.
