Wang Haibo, president of the China Great Wall Industry Corp., said preliminary designs of the project passed the evaluation of a panel of experts representing the buyer of the satellite, Nigerian National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).

According to contracts signed in December 2004 between the Chinese company and NASRDA, the communications satellite, known as NIGCOMSAT-1, will be based on China's latest model of satellite platform, DFH No.4.

With 28 transponders, including 4 C band, 18 Ku band, 4 Ka band and 2 L band ones, the satellite will be capable of meeting the requirements of Nigeria for telecommunications,broadcasting and broadband multimedia services, said Wang.

The platform is designed to have a lifespan of 15 years and 5, 200 kg in weight, and the transponders with a designed power of 8 kw will be 800 kg, he said.

To be designed, made and launched by China's space sector, he said the satellite will be put into the orbit by Chinese-made Long March 3 B carrier rocket at the Xichang Space Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, and will be delivered to NASRDA after it is in the orbit in early 2007.

The satellite represents the first one China to export to a foreign country although China also proved to be a reliable launch service provider in the world as it has launched 30 satellites in 24 commercial flights since 1990.

Wang said this is also the first time for China to provide a package of space products and services,including design, manufacturing,orbital delivery, ground products and services, to an overseas client.

The satellite will be monitored and tracked by a ground station to be built in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, by the Chinese firm, and a ground station in Kashi in northwest Xinjiang Ugyur Autonomous Region.

Moreover, the Chinese company will offer operating support services and be responsible for training Nigerian technicians.

The Chinese company, the international agent of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. that produces carrier rockets and satellites, was awarded the deal late last year after it beat 21 international rivals in a public bidding, including those from the United States, France, Britain, Italy and Isreal.

Ahmed Rufai, manager of NIGCOMSAT-1 project, said that all parties of the satellite contract are satisfied with the progress in implementing the deal.

The satellite will help Nigeria to be turned into a knowledge-based economy from its over-reliance on oil trade, he said.