The Defence Space Administration (DSA) has requested for more independent transponders on the two satellites, NIGComSat 2 &3 which would soon be launched by the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIgComSat).
The Chief of Defence Space Administration, Air Vice Marshal, Ahmed Shinkafi disclosed this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call to the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Tukur Lawal and his senior Management team in Abuja.
TheFact Daily notes that a transponder is a wireless communication, monitoring, or control device that picks up and automatically responds to an incoming signal. The term is a combination of transmitter and responder.
However, critical according to the DSA, is the L-band payload which he described as ‘very dear to their heart’. He, therefore, requested to have the DSA on the design of NigComSat 2&3.
The Air Vice Marshal commended NigComSat on the different services it has enjoyed on its communications satellite, NigComSat-1R.
The CDSA commended NIGCOMSAT on broadband services enjoyed by them and called for more collaboration between the civilian satellite operator and the military operator.
In a statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs and Special Project, Dr. Adamu Idris, he also thanked NIGCOMSAT Ltd and its engineers for continuous training of DSA staff.
On his part, Engr. Lawal, expressed optimism on the relationships and called for more collaborations, and congratulated the new helmsman at the Defence Space Administration, AVM Ahmed Shinkafi for considering NIGCOMSAT Ltd as its first port of call as he assumed duty.
He assured the new CDSA that NIGCOMSAT Ltd is willing to contribute its quarters to the promotion of Space administration in the country and assured the CDSA that NIGCOMSAT engineers will offer training to the DefenceSpace Administration staff when the need arises.
He assured the CDSA that the transponder payload is ‘a done deal’ and called for the signing of an MoU next month in that respect.
Also contributing, Navy Commodore Chris Anuge (rtd) informed the meeting that the Defence Space Administration has launched its satellite known as Nsat-1.
He called on NigComSat to also take advantage of the military satellite as part of the collaborative efforts.
