Excited T2 Staff Eagerly Joined SpaceX Engineers To Watch Beautiful Falcon In Heavy Launch Into Orbit
The Oasis Reporters
April 1, 2026
When SpaceX Engineers launched a payload into orbit they probably didn’t know that in Nigeria, T2 mobile staff were watching the accent of the rocket into orbit with undisguised interest in the hope that one day soon, the management of their firm, formerly known as 9mobile that their own payload may be amongst the plenty that SpaceX would take up to solve their telecommunications problems once and for all.
There are ot course, interim arrangements that is keeping them going, but nothing can be deeply satisfying than owning your own space, not on rented space.
The good thing is this, missing a payload accent into orbit is not the end of a story.
SpaceX Engineers have perfected the system reasonably by reusing the same rocket over and over again, unlike in the past when unmanned rockets go up and hardly return for reuse the next time.
Elon Musk and his team have perfected the engineering so well. Hence launches are getting cheaper. And much more frequently.
There’s always a launch around the corner. It’s like a transport company that goes, comes back and keeps going and coming. It’s a dream come true.
SpaceX is a global leader in the designs, manufactures and launches of the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft.
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Here’s a commentary by an account:
Beautiful…Falcon Heavy isn’t just a rocket. It’s a moving sculpture of human ambition. It’s a clean, minimalist design contrasting beautifully with the chaotic beauty of its fiery ascent and elegant returns. Whether static and majestic on the pad or dynamic against the clouds and ocean, it captures that rare blend of industrial precision and almost artistic spectacle, as a sculpture. No wonder it stops people in their tracks because it’s engineering elevated to something sublime.
Renowned engineer Elon Musk just successfully delivered 119 satellites to orbit at once earlier in the week on March 30, 2026. He has also promised a much more regular launching, as in his own words, “Falcon 9, which can carry ~20 tons to orbit (with a reusable booster & fairing), is a “heavy” class rocket by conventional standards
Our 16th Transporter rideshare mission is targeted to launch tomorrow from California and will deliver 119 payloads to orbit”.
“The booster doing this today is on its 12th flight. Same rocket. Landed 11 times already. The Transporter 16 mission launches 119 completely separate spacecraft from 119 different customers: cubesats, microsats, orbital transfer vehicles all stacked inside one fairing and deployed in sequence over two hours into sun synchronous orbit.
“Entry price for a slot on this rocket is $350,000. In 1965 a single satellite launch cost the equivalent of $500 million adjusted for inflation. The entire access model for space changed and most people haven’t noticed yet.
Source: SpaceX Transporter 16, March 30 2026; Spaceflight Now
Can one telecoms payload cubesat launched on SpaceX Transporter rideshare to orbit cover Nigeria for a telecommunications company? We asked Meta AI:
A telecoms payload cubesat launched on SpaceX Transporter rideshare to orbit could potentially cover Nigeria, but it’s not a straightforward yes or no answer.
The effectiveness of the cubesat’s coverage depends on several factors, including its orbit, antenna design, power output, and the frequency band used. Nigeria’s geographical location near the equator means a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite could provide coverage, but the cubesat’s small size might limit its capacity to serve a large area or handle high traffic demands.
However, companies like Airtel Africa are exploring satellite-based connectivity solutions, partnering with SpaceX to deploy Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology across 14 African markets, including Nigeria. This service aims to extend mobile coverage to underserved areas using a constellation of LEO satellites.
For a telecoms company, a cubesat could be a viable option for providing services like messaging, IoT connectivity, or even limited broadband access, especially in areas with limited terrestrial infrastructure. But, it would likely require a larger constellation of satellites to ensure reliable coverage and capacity.
What would be the costs involved in launching a cubesat or the regulatory requirements for operating a satellite in Nigeria?
Launching a cubesat for a Nigerian satellite involves several cost factors. The cost of launching a cubesat typically ranges from $5,000 to $6,500 per kg to sun-synchronous orbit, with SpaceX’s rideshare services being a popular option. For a 1U cubesat, this translates to around $6,500, while larger 6U models can cost around $30,000.
In Nigeria, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has been working to develop its space program, including launching satellites like the NigeriaSat series and NigComSat for communications. The cost of building a basic cubesat locally in Nigeria can be under $53,000.
However, launching a satellite from Nigeria is still a challenge, as the country doesn’t have an operational orbital launch facility. NASRDA is exploring partnerships and developing its Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) laboratory to reduce costs and increase capabilities.
The Nigerian government has approved the purchase of two new communication satellites to boost the country’s digital infrastructure, with a total cost of $700 million.
This could be a game changer for any telecommunications company to explore, especially like T2 which would want coverage over Nigeria as quickly as possible.
So when shall it be dawn for telecommunications firms in Nigeria?
Greg Abolo with Meta AI and X
