Launched on October 12, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan), the satellite also comprises the KU and KA bands, with the C Band having the lowest capacity but the greatest coverage, according to the coordinator for the National Space Education Program of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, Lumonansoni André.
In an interview with ANGOP, on the occasion of the three years of ANGOSAT-2, which is celebrated this Sunday (12), and World Space Week, celebrated from the 4th to the 10th of this month, Lumonansoni André explained that Angola still has many capacities to explore and sell, with emphasis on the KU Band.
The latter is currently operating at 36% of its capacity, which will allow for a return on investment in the coming years. According to Lumonansoni André, the KA Band, a technology used for in-orbit testing and to provide high-speed connectivity in remote areas, is not yet occupied.
Lumonansoni André, coordinator of the National Space Education Program, explained that 90% of the C-band services on the Angolan satellite ANGOSAT-2 have already been sold, and 36% of the KU-band are also virtually occupied. However, the economic return is still low, around $30 million, well below the $320 million invested in the project.
The satellite operates in three bands—KU, C, and KA—with the KA band not yet in use. The C band has less capacity but greater coverage, while the KU band has greater capacity but more limited coverage.
The main customers are wholesale companies such as Angola Telecom, MSTelecom, Infrasat, ITA and Grupo Paratus, which purchase satellite capacity and resell the services to operators such as Unitel and Movicel, which are responsible for making them available to end consumers.
Lumonansoni André stated that the GGPEN (National Space Program Management Office) only sells satellite capabilities and does not interfere with how companies distribute services. The focus is on technical support and the construction of space infrastructure aligned with sector strategies. He also highlighted the importance of staff training and creating a value chain between telecommunications companies and partners to improve system efficiency.
Regarding World Space Week, held from October 4th to 10th, André explained that the event serves as a major platform for Angola to showcase the advances of its National Space Program, showcasing the services and products developed that contribute to economic diversification and revenue generation.
Angola's participation in this event, for the eighth consecutive year, reinforces the country's presence on the international stage. The Week is coordinated by World Space Week, a UN-recognized organization that brings together key players in the global space industry, including NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, and the space agencies of Canada and China. Angola participates with scientific and technological presentations, establishing an active presence on the global space sector stage.
