RASCOM-QAF1/RASCOM-QAF1R Resource

RASCOM-QAF1R will replace RASCOM-QAF1 in August 2010.

Based on a co-located system concept, the planned fleet will be conceived to secure the operator business plan in case of partial satellite failure :

• High level of Ground Control and Mission Control Facilities availability and flexibility.
• No needs of re-tuning Ground Terminals or Gateways (same directions of beam, same frequency band, same polarization).
• Each redundant Centralized Network Station will deal with the two planned satellites for the Integrated Communication Service Network and the Thin Route Service Network.

RASCOM-QAF1/RASCOM-QAF1R Satellites

Ku-Ku band transmissions

• 10 active transponders.
• Two zones over Africa (North zone and South Zone).

C-C band transmissions

• 6 active transponders.
• One single zone over Africa (CONT zone).

C-Ku and Ku-C transmissions

• 4 active transponders.

A capacity of 24.5 equivalent channels, each having 36 MHz bandwidth

RASCOM-QAF1/RASCOM-QAF1R coverage

RASCOM-QAF1/RASCOM-QAF1R connectivity

"A full connectivity between all African countries associated to C and Ku-band cross-links. "

Cross-links are dedicated to the Integrated Communication Service providing telephony services and medium rate Internet services while C-band is used for Thin Route Trunking and Bandwidth Lease service and Ku-band for TV Broadcasting and high rate Internet.

Overall capacity with 2 collocated satellites

RASCOM-QAF Frequency Resource

Abidjan, February 21, 2002 - The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) confirmed on February 8, 2002 the successful filing by the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM) of the 2.9° East orbital position. This is a significant achievement for the whole African continent, as it provides RASCOM and its member countries, with co-ordinated and sufficient spectrum in C and Ku bands to launch its first telecommunication satellite system. Despite the well-known complexity of the regulatory process, such an achievement was possible because of a strong political commitment of over 50 African countries, and the involvement of many African experts, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and the ITU top management. The support provided by the regulatory team of ALCATEL SPACE, a RASCOM partner, was also essential to achieve this success.

The unflinching, diligent and full fledged commitment and support of the “Agence des Télécommunications de Côte d’Ivoire” (ATCI), which is the notifying administration of RASCOM, had been singularly important.

This is a model of collaboration between developing countries and industrial partners with a view to sustainable development.

Thanks to the orbit/spectrum resource thus secured, RASCOMSTAR-QAF is provided with a safe orbital location and for the first time ever, the whole African continent and its associated islands will be covered in planned Ku and C bands.