Nigerian communications satellite (Diagram courtesy of Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency)

June 22, 2007 -- On May 14, China launched a communication satellite, NIGCOMSAT-1, for Nigeria in the Sichuan spaceport of Xichang. This is the first time that a foreign buyer has had a satellite built and launched in China.

Experts say that the launch, the 56th since 1996, is a significant event in improving China's capacity to provide commercial satellites. Xie Yuan, a professor of economics at Hebei University of Technology, told Emerging China that it marks a departure from merely exporting completed satellites. "China has the capability to offer a comprehensive package of services in the satellite industry to meet the buyers' requirements, including satellites, rockets, ground facilities, insurance, financing and training technicians," he said.

Xinhua News Agency reported that the launch was part of a 23.7 billion yuan (US$311 million) deal signed by China and Nigeria in 2004. It demonstrates that China expects to use space technology to promote a closer relationship to African countries.

"The successful delivery of NIGCOMSAT-1 marks a breakthrough in China's international commercial space program," said Wang Haibo, President of China Great Wall Industry Corp., speaking on CCTV after the launch. He confirmed that the Nigerian communication satellite is the first one designed, produced and launched by the Chinese for a foreign buyer. It will offer communication services to Africa, parts of the Middle East and southern Europe.

The satellite was carried into space by a Long March 3-B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology developed the launched vehicle and China Great Wall Industry Corp, the biggest science and technology group of launch vehicles in China, manufactured the rocket and the satellite.

"The satellite will play an important role in many fields, including communications, TV programming transmissions, broadband multimedia services, long-distance health care and education. It will serve as a link between Nigeria and the world," Zhang Lijun, an engineer at China Great Wall Industry Corp., told Emerging China. He said that the satellite weighed 5 tons and has a lifespan of 15 years. "Actually, it is a world leading communication satellite, especially improved to ensure a successful launch and a longer life," he said.

Mansur Ahmed, director general of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, told the London based Science and Development Network (SciDev.net) that the satellite will "open doors for Nigerian businesses," which will have an indirect effect on alleviating poverty. Akin Jimoh, director of the Development Communications Network also told SciDev.net that the satellite will be useful in rural telephony and telemedicine, but in the future, Nigeria should build a homegrown satellite instead of relying on outside manpower. Nigeria will start using the satellite later this year.