Angola is getting ready to launch its second communications satellite, Angosat-2 into space.
Speaking on the size of the satellite, the Director-General of the Angolan National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN), Zolana João, said Angosat-2 would be seven times faster than Angosat-1.
The Director General said Angosat-2 was designed as a conventional satellite, with a wide communication beam, irrespective of location.
With this, the country can reduce the digital divide challenge, providing all Angolans equal access to the benefits offered by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS), Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, had revealed that upon the groundwork laid by the satellite, Angola plans to enhance the Angosat-2 satellite transmission infrastructure and Angola’s Earth Observation programme within the framework of its National Space Strategy.
The minister added that such plans would also extend to investment in national broadband infrastructure through submarine and terrestrial fibre optics.
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According to Oliveira, investing in space technology will contribute to the unification and advancement of the African continent. He said: “We want to have a strong national space industry that serves the interests of our economy and brings benefits, not only for Angola but as a way to create synergies in our region while fostering the establishment of a united Africa.”
The Minister also highlighted that the telecommunications services resulting from the launch would benefit Angola and the satellite operators.
The services will cover the entire African continent alongside a significant part of Southern Europe in C Band. The satellite will also provide almost complete coverage of southern Africa in Ku Band.
The Minister also noted the intention of the Executive to continue investing in inducing projects for the creation of the television broadcasting market.
In addition, Oliveira emphasised the roles of public media companies’ professionals and the technical and engineering staff. He said that they were vital for developing good communication services in Angola. He also discussed the revitalisation of the Journalist Training Centre (CEFOJOR).
According to him, this is to create better-trained media technicians who can continuously respond to Angola’s communication challenges.
The Angolan Management Office of the National Space Program (GGPEN) began maintenance work on the satellite’s control and operation systems in preparation for the satellite’s launch.
The maintenance activities included conducting visual inspections, verifying the operating status and observing the performance characteristics of radiofrequency equipment and the entire information technology infrastructure installed in the Satellite Mission and Control Centre (MCC). The maintenance also complied with the recommendation to perform a pre-assessment of the state of readiness of the installed infrastructure for Angosat-2’s launch stage.
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About Angosat-2
The satellite, which weighs two tons, will be a High-throughput satellite (HTS), providing 13 gigabytes in each illuminated region (satellite signal range zones).
The satellite will be based on the Eurostar-3000 platform and have a design lifespan of 15 years. Angosat-2 was developed in Russia by Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company, and the construction is at no new cost to Angola due to the insurance package from Angosat-1’s $300 million contract.
About Angosat-1
Angola’s first satellite, Angosat-1, was launched on December 26, 2022. It carried a communications payload consisting of sixteen C-band and six Ku-band transponders. It was a relatively lightweight satellite with a mass of only 1647 kilograms (3631 lb).
The satellite, which was operated by Angola’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology,
Although the launch vehicle was performed by the book, the satellite exhibited fatal problems with its power supply system practically immediately after entering autonomous flight, resulting in the loss of communications with the spacecraft.
Despite all efforts to restore communications, on April 23, 2018, the Angolan government officially declared the satellite a total loss.