Skip to content
79,433 pages · 13,741 images · since 1994 Browse A–Z Today in space history
Encyclopedia Astronautica The full story of spaceflight
Encyclopedia entry

Rascom

Mauritius · Nigeria

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Chronology

2 events

2007 December 21

21:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA3. LV Family: Ariane 5. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5GS.
  • Rascom-QAF-1 - . Payload: Spacebus 4000B3. Mass: 4,579 kg (10,094 lb). Nation: Mauritius. Agency: RascomStarQAF. Manufacturer: Alenia. Program: Rascom. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. USAF Sat Cat: 32387 . COSPAR: 2007-063A. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min.

    African communications satellite with a hybrid Ku/C-band payload. Nominal owner RascomStarQAF of Port Louis, Mauritius, a subsidiary of the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM) based in Cote d'Ivoire. The mission and satellite control centers were located in Cameroun and Libya. The satellite was to provide voice, data and internet services throughout Africa. Ahelium leak in the propulsion system prevented use of the primary apogee motor. Reaction control motors were used instead to slowly move the satellite into geosynchronous orbit. The satellite was expected to reach its operating location, but with a shorter-than-planned operational lifetime.

2010 August 4

20:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA3. LV Family: Ariane 5. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5ECA.
  • Rascom QAF 1R - . Payload: RascomQAF-1R. Mass: 3,050 kg (6,720 lb). Nation: Nigeria. Agency: Arianespace. Program: Rascom. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. USAF Sat Cat: 36831 . COSPAR: 2010-037B. Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Ku and C band transponders to provide telecommunications, broadcasting and internet service to Africa for the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization..