By Kayode Falade and Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) has declared that the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) will help save the environment as it will not involve the use of fossil fuels.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NIGCOMSAT, Engr. Tukur M. Lawal, who made this disclosure on Thursday in Abuja, at a workshop on SBAS Implementation in Aviation in Africa added that rather the SBAS would reduce the carbon footprint of the operation.
SBAS is a wide coverage augmentation system in which the user receives augmentation information from a satellite-based transmitter. It also provides a continental/regional navigation service among others.
According to the NIGCOMSAT boss, SBAS does not have an adverse effect on the environment as the satellites are already in orbit and the beams are already in use.
Lawal further explained that the use of fossil fuels does not need to use generators or any energy sources adding, “SBAS is already in orbit. We don’t need any energy and the CO2 emissions have a lot of impact on the environment and drastically it is going to reduce zero CO2 emission because we are not going to use any fossil fuels.”
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive of NIGCOMSAT said the SBAS initiative is taken by African Stakeholders and supported by NIGCOMSAT to strengthen the cooperation and efforts geared toward enhancing the effectiveness and safety of civil aviation in Africa.
He said, “NIGCOMSAT Limited in conjunction with its partners commenced a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) broadcast signal over Africa and the Indian Ocean (AFT) region on the 10th September, 2020 with a successful test bed Signal in Space broadcast through NIGCOMSAT 1R SBAS payload over Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Related Posts
“The autonomous provision of SBAS services over African continent and beyond is aimed to augment the performances of the satellite navigation constellations such as GPS and Galileo.
“With improved accuracy to within a meter, and boosted integrity, availability and continuity of safety-related applications, these SBAS services will improve the flight safety and efficiency in Africa, and also be beneficial to its economy.
“The broadcast signal is in full compliance to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices, and the Minimum Operational Performance Standard developed by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics organization (RTCA).
“The aim of engaging in this trial and sensitisation is to demonstrate the SBAS service for aviation safety as a Performance Based Navigation (PBS). It also important application for early Precise Point Positioning (PPP) and emergency warning service to populations for non aviation applications.
Lawal expressed delight in the participation of his agency in the scheme just as he said he was elated with the partnership with other agencies.
“Today, I am particularly elated that NIGCOMSAT Limited in conjunction with Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), The Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA), SatNav Africa Joint Program Office (IPO), and the Augmented Navigation for Africa (ANGA) jointly organised the second SBAS flight demonstration and outreach event for stakeholders in view of SBAS adoption in Africa’s aviation sector.
“The synergy and collaboration that have been displayed by these agencies, in terms of intellectual and human resource is highly commendable. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed in Anglophone Africa.
“I wish to mention this event is also welcoming the EU Global Action on Space initiative of the European Commission to showcase Europe’s experience in the adoption of SBAS for civil aviation, as lessons learned are crucial for quick success,” Lawal said.
Other features and performance of SBAS include provision of GPS positioning to meet the needs of civil aviation from the “en-route” phrase, improving the integrity, accuracy, availability and probability of the Standard Positioning Service; GPS; and improving the accuracy of aeronautical and non-aeronautical solutions.
