First African satellite launched
By Evan Blass | December 23, 2007
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless
In a landmark launch that will supposedly “contribute to bridging the digital divide within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world,” the continent’s first satellite successfully made it into orbit aboard a French-made rocket last night. The so-called RASCOM-QAF1 — named after the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization which is funding the venture — lifted off from the European space base in Kourou, French Guiana stowed inside an Ariane 5, the sixth such launch this year and 36th overall of that particular model, manufactured by Paris-based Arianespace. The new 3.2-tonne (7,055-pound) satellite is set to serve the large African rural market neglected by traditional cellphone carriers, and will allegedly save hundred of millions of dollars a year currently being paid to foreign operators.
[Via PhysOrg]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Topics: Gadgets |
« The Etymotic etyBlu: a less ridiculous looking successor to the ety8? | Main | Knight Industries Three Thousand specs revealed »
Comments
Similar Posts
- Satellite Broadband : Surf At Lightning Speed Anywhere, Anytime
Solar-powered donkey carts bring power to African villages
Satellite Broadband : Get Connected Fast, Anytime, Anywhere
Hard luck for satellite industry last week
Satellite Broadband : Key Advantages of Satellite Broadband
Second Galileo GPS satellite goes into orbit
Toshiba’s Qosmio F30W refreshed for Vista
Student receives Paris Hilton’s recycled number, along with a lot of late night calls
Infineon teams with Intel for high-density (HD) SIM cards
Sezmi looks to provide alternative for cable / satellite, confuse everyone
DigiTimes: Google will definitely launch its own branded handset
Elektrobit promises to deliver Windows Mobile-based satellite phone in 2009
Canadian valley fights to stay “cellphone free,” yet plans VoIP-friendly MuniFi
Benefits Of A Satellite Internet Service Provider
Toshiba updates Satellite A215 laptop lineup
J. Lo brings latest album to Gresso flash drive
What’s the Best Satellite TV Deal - DirecTV or Dish Network?
Chinese television satellite fails to deploy, millions disappointed
News Corp hired hacker to pirate DISH Network access cards
Toshiba updates Satellite P105, U205 laptops for Vista
