Abiodun Adelaja
19 November 2008
Abuja — The broken down N24 billion ($200million) NigComSat - 1 flown into orbit about a year ago by China Great Wall Industry Incorporation (CGWIC) is irreparably damaged and has been safely de-orbited to its eternal resting place in the heavens, Managing Director (MD) of NigComSat - 1 Ltd, Prof. Ahmed Rufai has confirmed.
Rufai who appeared before the House of Representative Committee on Science and Technology Chaired by Hon. Usaq Akinlade. however, noted that although the satellite has been lost forever, the underwriters have also agreed to replace it with a new one and negotiations over the 112 million euros insurance policy are ongoing.
He then pleaded that more money be appropriated for the construction of two new ones, as the business viability of the communication satellite in Nigeria is not in doubt.
Rufai said the loss of the highly publicised satellite was not due to manufacturers' defect, but caused by solar flare, which also damaged the solar panels of six other similar satellites that fateful day it was launch.
"The first incident occurred on April 17th, 2008 when half of the power was lost from the South Solar Array due to a single event offset leaving the North Solar Array as the only source of power.
"Unfortunately, a similar incident occurred on the Northern Solar Panel Array on the 9th November, 2008 at about 10:34pm Nigerian time during a non-eclipse position. The batteries are only supposed to discharged during eclipse and recharged when in non-eclipse position. while the solar array acts as the source of power to the satellite". Rufai stated
He said Nigerian Engineers monitoring the Satellite noticed it immediately and communicated to the Chinese manufacturers, saying both team then worked tirelessly but, in vain to revive NigComsat - 1.
"Regretfully, all effort to recover power supply to the power panel failed."
"The satellite was consequently de-orbited to avoid total loss of power and control which would result in damages to other satellites in orbit or even aircraft in flights."
"The satellite has now been manoeuvred to the parking orbit and cannot be recovered for use again", he said.
On insurance, he assured Nigerians of adequate compensation for the loss as it is fully insured.
"We wish to state unequivocally that NigComSatm - 1 is fully insured to the tune of 112 million euros in accordance with industry standards by renowned international underwriters with proven integrity. The ground segment including the Ground Station and equipments are necessarily insured under a separate policy by local underwriters", he said.
Rufai then asked that the committee help it convince the Federal Government to approve the commencement of the utilisation of a $500 million concessionary loan from the Chinese Expert Import Bank for the construction of NigComsat 2 and 3.
He also asked that the company be allowed to discuss with the Chinese government and the Satellite manufacturer on reassigning of an emergency satellite with technical specification similar to the lost satellite in orbit or in advance stage of construction.
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