Angola confirms loss of its first satellite, Angosat-1

Angolan government on Monday confirmed the loss of its first national telecoms satellite, Angosat-1, launched in December from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.

The Russian-made Angosat-1 was expected to have a working life of 15 years but contact with the satellite was soon lost and never recovered despite many attempts, according to Luanda.

According to Igor Frolov, a representative of manufacturer Energia RSC, the satellite remained in orbit from December 26 to 30. “After that we had a problem”.

A report published by Russia’s Tass news agency in December said engineers lost contact with Angosat 1 at the time it was supposed to extend its power-generating solar panels after separation from the Fregat upper stage.

The Angosat 1 joint project commenced in 2009 and has cost about $300m, according to Angola’s government.

The satellite was expected to play a crucial role in the promotion of telemedicine, a way of providing clinical care from a distance using telecommunications.

Angolan Telecommunications Minister Jose Carvalho da Rocha and the press service of Energiya aerospace corporation on Monday announced that the satellite would be replaced by a successor, Angosat-2, under a new agreement with Russia.

According to Jornal de Angola, construction of Angosat-2 is likely to take more than 18 months. Insurance indemnity for the lost satellite in the amount of $121 million will be incorporated in the payment for the second satellite.

About Khalid Al Mouahidi 4375 Articles
Khalid Al Mouahidi : A binational from the US and Morocco, Khalid El Mouahidi has worked for several american companies in the Maghreb Region and is currently based in Casablanca, where he is doing consulting jobs for major international companies . Khalid writes analytical pieces about economic ties between the Maghreb and the Mena Region, where he has an extensive network