NIGCOMSAT Chooses Hughes Ground System for Next Satellites

Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has selected Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER ground system for its planned NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B satellites, while preparing to assemble some satellite terminals and related ground equipment in Nigeria.

Preparation for the ground system and local assembly footprint is expected to begin in 2026. The two satellites are expected to launch in 2028 and 2029, although those timelines remain planned rather than confirmed.

Hughes to support Nigerian facility

Hughes will develop the ground segment and provide technical and engineering support for a facility intended to assemble satellite terminals. The terminals will include antennas and other equipment used to send signals to satellites and receive them on Earth.

Thales Alenia Space and Israel Aerospace Industries will build the satellites, according to the reported programme arrangements.

The JUPITER system is designed to support Ka-, Ku- and C-band services for broadband, enterprise and government users. Anshu Vij, Hughes’ managing director for EMEA, said the agreement reflected the platform’s performance and flexibility.

“This collaboration will help NIGCOMSAT deliver resilient, high-throughput connectivity while laying the foundation for future growth, innovation, and digital inclusion across Nigeria,” Vij said.

Local assembly remains to be defined

NIGCOMSAT said the new satellites will require dedicated ground infrastructure rather than simply reusing terminals associated with NigComSat-1R, which is approaching the end of its operational life. A NIGCOMSAT spokesperson told TechCabal, “Each satellite launch must have a ground station.”

Jane Egerton-Idehen, NIGCOMSAT’s managing director, said the partnership could contribute to local manufacturing, innovation, job creation, economic diversification and greater control over Nigeria’s satellite communications infrastructure.

“The JUPITER platform will allow us to efficiently deploy capacity today, while scaling to meet the country’s long-term connectivity needs,” Egerton-Idehen said.

However, the scope of local manufacturing has not yet been specified. It is also uncertain whether the proposed facility will support customers or satellites beyond NIGCOMSAT’s own programme, or whether it will develop into a broader, sustainable industry.

Building on existing infrastructure

Nigeria’s satellite ground infrastructure includes a Master Control Station in Abuja and a backup tracking facility in Kashgar, China. NIGCOMSAT also has additional facilities in Lagos, Kaduna and Gombe supporting C-, Ku- and Ka-band services.

NigComSat-1 launched in 2007 but suffered a solar-array failure in 2008 and was later de-orbited. NigComSat-1R was launched in 2011, after which the Abuja control station was upgraded with new baseband equipment, tracking antennas and satellite-control software.

NIGCOMSAT later explored Teleport-as-a-Service and adapted parts of its infrastructure to support a wider range of satellite operators and orbits. The new Hughes agreement is intended to ensure that ground systems, terminals and local assembly capability are ready for the next satellite programme.