On March 24, 2009, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd. (NigComSat Ltd.) and China Great Wall Industry Corp. (CGWIC) signed a contract in Beijing for the in-orbit delivery of the NigComSat-1R satellite.
The NigComSat-1R satellite is based on the DFH-4 satellite platform developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). Fitted with a total of 28 transponders ( 8 Ka-band, 14 Ku-band, 4 C-band and 2 L-band), the satellite will be positioned at a longitude of 42.5°E over the equator, and will have a design life span of 15 years.
The satellite will replace the NigComSat-1, which failed in orbit in November 2008 due to solar array anomaly. NigcomSat-1R satellite was successfully launched on board the LM-3B launch vehicle developed by CALT from XSLC on Dec.20, 2011; and was delivered in orbit to NIGCOMSAT LTD. on March 2,2012.