Inspire 9-4

The launch of Africa’s’ Satellite to boast Africa's information technology and Development
The First ever Pan-African telecommunications Satellite System (RASCOM-1) was launched on the 1st of December 2007 by Christian Tabifor

Arianespace The satellite was launched into a geostationary transfer orbit on the 1ST OF DECEMBER 2007 by an Ariane 5 launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. RASCOM-1, built by Thales Alenia Space as part of a turnkey contract with RascomStar-QAF, will provide fixed voice, data telecommunications, as well as domestic and international connections, direct TV broadcast services and Internet access, especially in rural areas in a sustainable manner to the whole African continent with footprint extending to parts of Europe and the Middle East during 15 years.

Based on a Spacebus 4000B3 platform, RASCOM 1 is equipped with 12 Ku-band transponders and eight C-band transponders. It weighs about 3,200 kg at launch, will have a 6.4 kW power end of life and will be positioned at 2.85 degrees East. The Director General of RASCOM, Dr. Jones A. Killimbe, commented “We are very proud of the support given to this project by the RASCOM Signatories, African financial institutions and especially by the Great Jamahiriya under the Leadership of the, Leader brother MUAMMAR AL-KADDAFI for participating in this Continental project. It should be underscored that Libya bears about half of the expenditure thanks to their astute leader MUAMMAR AL-KADDAFI. This satellite will play a great role to bridging the digital divide between rural and urban areas and to ensuring general economical development and more especially integration of Africa. This ambitious project shall also consolidate Africa’s position in the Global Information Society. We also believe that everybody should enjoy access to the resources needed to communicate.” He added: “This ambitious project is a testimony of Africa’s solidarity of taking their own destiny into their own hands by ensuring that Africans are empowered by participating in the Global Information Society”. “We are also very proud of the CEO of RascomStar-QAF, Mr. Faraj El Amari and his team for this remarkable milestone achieved”, Dr. Jones A. Killimbe concluded.

About RASCOM: RASCOM, is an intergovernmental, commercial satellite organization and the expression of the strong willingness of the African Governments and telecommunications operators to pool their efforts in a view to providing the African continent with telecommunications infrastructure based on space technology which is not only leading to a global response for all telecommunications requirements identified in Africa, but more especially it is going to provide telecommunications services at very low costs, thus making universal service a reality in Africa. RASCOM has a membership of 45 African countries as of now and others are soon to join.
Christian P. Tabifor

The launch of Africa’s’ Satellite to boast Africa's information technology and Development The First ever Pan-African telecommunications Satellite System (RASCOM-1) was launched on the 1st of December 2007 by Arianespace The satellite was launched into a geostationary transfer orbit on the 1ST OF DECEMBER 2007 by an Ariane 5 launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. RASCOM-1, built by Thales Alenia Space as part of a turnkey contract with RascomStar-QAF, will provide fixed voice, data telecommunications, as well as domestic and international connections, direct TV broadcast services and Internet access, especially in rural areas in a sustainable manner to the whole African continent with footprint extending to parts of Europe and the Middle East during 15 years. Based on a Spacebus 4000B3 platform, RASCOM 1 is equipped with 12 Ku-band transponders and eight C-band transponders. It weighs about 3,200 kg at launch, will have a 6.4 kW power end of life and will be positioned at 2.85 degrees East. The Director General of RASCOM, Dr. Jones A. Killimbe, commented “We are very proud of the support given to this project by the RASCOM Signatories, African financial institutions and especially by the Great Jamahiriya under the Leadership of the, Leader brother MUAMMAR AL-KADDAFI for participating in this Continental project. It should be underscored that Libya bears about half of the expenditure thanks to their astute leader MUAMMAR AL-KADDAFI. This satellite will play a great role to bridging the digital divide between rural and urban areas and to ensuring general economical development and more especially integration of Africa. This ambitious project shall also consolidate Africa’s position in the Global Information Society. We also believe that everybody should enjoy access to the resources needed to communicate.” He added: “This ambitious project is a testimony of Africa’s solidarity of taking their own destiny into their own hands by ensuring that Africans are empowered by participating in the Global Information Society”. “We are also very proud of the CEO of RascomStar-QAF, Mr. Faraj El Amari and his team for this remarkable milestone achieved”, Dr. Jones A. Killimbe concluded. About RASCOM: RASCOM, is an intergovernmental, commercial satellite organization and the expression of the strong willingness of the African Governments and telecommunications operators to pool their efforts in a view to providing the African continent with telecommunications infrastructure based on space technology which is not only leading to a global response for all telecommunications requirements identified in Africa, but more especially it is going to provide telecommunications services at very low costs, thus making universal service a reality in Africa. RASCOM has a membership of 45 African countries as of now and others are soon to join. Christian P. Tabifor

Comment form. Have something to say about the above article? Complete the form below to let others know your views. E-mail address Name Comment