Kosmotras to launch two Nigerian satellites with Dnepr rocket in 2010

15:42

The Kosmotras international consortium will launch Nigeria's NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X earth monitoring satellites to a solar synchronized orbit with a Ukrainian-Russian Dnepr rocket in 2010, a source at the consortium administration told Interfax.

The Nigerian satellites will be part of the cluster launch stipulated by the September contract with British firm, SSTL. The British company will make the satellites to order of the Nigerian government.

NigeriaSat-2 will supply high-resolution images for cartography, food security and catastrophe monitoring needs.

NigeriaSat-X, which will be built with the assistance of Nigerian engineers, will be overlooked by the Agriculture and Environment Ministry.

The main payload of the cluster launch is Ukraine's Sych-2 satellite. Ukraine said the satellite would be launched in April 2010.

Also, the rocket will carry the Turkish Rasat of Tubitak Uzay and the Rome University's EduSat.

05.11.2009