NigeriaSat-2 & NigeriaSat-X

NigeriaSat-2 & NigeriaSat-X

Launch Date
17/08/2011

Media Gallery

  • The fully assembled space head module is lifted onto its trolley as it prepares to leave the clean room
  • One last opportunity for a team photo
  • It’s all hands on deck as the SHM is slowly moved from the clean room
  • The SHM transporter is prepared to receive the assembled module
  • The transporter is referred to as the “crocodile” by locals
  • More manpower as the SHM is locked into place
  • The SHM is raised into the transporter and locked into position before the carriage is folded back down in readiness for the journey to the silo
  • Early this morning the transporter left the integration facility and headed for the Dnepr rocket silo
  • Andy Currie removes a non-flight item from NigeriaSat-X
  • The final assembled upper deck with all spacecraft integrated is now ready for flight. The triangular shield is added protection for the NigeriaSat-2 camera
  • Lifting the Dnepr fairing into place
  • What it looks like inside the fairing cone
  • Some careful manoeuvring as the fairing is lowered onto the upper platform
  • The final view of NigeriaSat-X
  • Lifting gear is attached to the upper platform and fairing assembly in readiness for integration with the lower platform
  • View from beneath the lower platform looking up to NigeriaSat-2 - all non-flight items having been removed
  • The upper platform is hoisted in preparation for attachment to the lower platform
  • The space head module is positioned for placement on the lower platform
  • Final glimpse of NigeriaSat-2 before the two platforms are joined
  • KB Yuzhnoye engineers finalising the integration of SICH-2
  • RASAT viewed from inside the upper platform
  • The Ukrainian SICH-2 spacecraft - and a thoughtful Ukrainian engineer
  • The Turkish RASAT spacecraft is integrated onto the upper platform
  • With two more satellites integrated, the upper deck is looking pretty full
  • NigeriaSat-2 is lowered onto the launcher platform, surrounded by the rocket control systems.
  • The AIT cleanroom at Yasny with the upper part of the fairing behind NigeriaSat-2.
  • SSTL engineer, Andy Currie, removes a solar panel protector on NigeriaSat-2 prior to integration with launcher.
  • The NigeriaSat-X separation system is lifted onto the launch adapter
  • The safe arm connectors are fitted for the final time prior to integration with the Dnepr launch vehicle
  • NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X under test at Yasny
  • NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X loaded onto the lorry ready to start their journey to the launch site
  • NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X crated for transportation
  • NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X being packed up at SSTL ready for shipment to the launch site
  • NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X under test at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories
  • Nigerian engineer working on NigeriaSat-X at SSTL
  • NigeriaSat-2
  • NigeriaSat-X with Nigerian engineers in SSTL's cleanroom
  • NigeriaSat-2 over Africa
  • Sir Martin Sweeting with NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X in SSTL's cleanrooms during the final Assembly, Integration and Testing phase
  • SSTL's Very High Resolution Imager which is being flown on NigeriaSat-2

Satellite Data

Name:
NigeriaSat-2

Customer:
NASRDA

Mission:

Mass:
270kg

Platform:
SSTL-300

Launch Data

Launch Date:
17/08/2011 07:12:20

Launch Site:
Yasny, Russia

Launcher:
DNEPR

Orbit:
700km altitude, sun-synchronous orbit 22:30 LTAN

Press Releases

  • 06/11/2006  Contract award
  • 10/08/2011  Launch Date Set for NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X satellites
  • 15/08/2011 SSTL's very high resolution satellite NigeriaSat-2 prepares for launch
  • 17/08/2011 SSTL successfully launches two further Earth observation satellites

Related Links