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Angola’s first communications satellite, AngoSat-1, will be launched into geostationary orbit on December 7, 2017, according a spokesman for the Russia Space Corporation Energia (RKK Energiya).
The launcher to be used will be a Zenit carrier rocket built in Ukraine, and the launch itself shall be from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The AngoSat-1 programme and launch has been delayed on several occasions since construction began in in 2012. The largest obstacle to programme completion has been the ongoing conflict in Ukraine since 2014, where the Zenit carrier rocket is manufactured. The Ukraine conflict has resulted in a breakdown of diplomatic and economic relations between Kyiv and Moscow.
The AngoSat-1 was designed to be launched by a Zenit carrier rocket. The satellite bus is built be RKK Energiya and the communications payload is provided by Airbus Defence and Space. The AngoSat-1 satellite bus is based on the RKK Energiya’s Yamal USP bus.
AngoSat-1 will use C- and Ku-bands on 44 transponders, and will primarily be used to broadcast satellite television. A mission control headquarters and associated infrastructure will be located on the outskirts of Luanda, the capital of Angola.
The AngoSat-1 programme is the result of a 2009 agreement between Angola and Russia, and once launched, will be operated by the Angosat company in Luanda.
Angola rolled out an ambitious space programme and policy agenda in May 2017, including the development of communications and Earth observation satellites, and the establishment of a national space agency.
Original published at: https://spacewatch.global/2017/10/angolas-angosat-1-launched-russia-december-2017/
