The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT) has announced the extension and enhancement of its partnership with Thales Alenia Space. This partnership builds upon the progress made during the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) flight demonstration held in Abuja in February 2023.

As part of the renewed agreement, NIGCOMSAT will grant Thales Alenia Space privileged access to the SBAS payload aboard the NIGCOMSAT-1R satellite. This will facilitate the widespread propagation of SBAS signals throughout Africa.

The SBAS is an aviation-grade safety satellite navigation system that provides highly reliable satellite navigation services and high-accuracy positioning. The collaboration between NIGCOMSAT and Thales Alenia Space began in 2018, with the testing of the NigComSat-1R payload and the demonstration of its capabilities for SBAS.

The implementation of SBAS is expected to revolutionize the African aviation sector by improving flight safety and efficiency. It will enable smoother air traffic flow, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through decreased fuel consumption.

Additionally, SBAS will play a crucial role in realizing the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative. It will also have applications beyond aviation, such as precision agriculture, land and maritime transport, rail safety, oil and gas operations, drone navigation, secure time transfer, mapping and cadastral activities, surveying, and mass-market applications.

This partnership between NIGCOMSAT and Thales Alenia Space signifies a strong commitment to advancing satellite technology in Africa. It is a positive development that will contribute to various sectors and pave the way for future advancements in satellite-based services.

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