NigeriaSat-2,one of four Nigerian satellites(NigeriaSat-1,NigeriaSat-X and NIGCOMSAT-1R)in orbit
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
May 18, 2012
Abuja
Prof. Ita Ewa, the Minister of Science and Technology said on Thursday that Nigeria would launch three satellites and send astronauts to space by 2015.
Ewa stated this in Abuja at the ongoing ministerial briefing to commemorate 2012 Democracy Day and anniversary of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. He said the move was part of government efforts to boost the
economy through space technology.
The minister enumerated the country’s
space programme from now to 2028
when it expects to launch a made-in-
Nigeria satellite into space. “In 2015 we are preparing to launch NigeriaSAR-1 satellite. The NigeriaSAR is a security satellite with an acronym that stands for Synthetic Aperture Radar. “This satellite will have a very high resolution that can cover kilometres,and for a backup of the communication satellite there will be NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-3.
“Also because of the experience we
gained in Surrey, UK, we are going to
build an Assembly Integration and
Testing Centre for satellite technology,
it is ongoing but this year we will put
in more efforts to that technology. “And before I leave office in 2015 we will send Nigerian Astronaut into space ’’
He said by 2018 Nigeria would launch
a manufactured satellite and in 2025
develop rocket and propulsion system. “In 2026 we have allies in electronics
and software involved in space technology, and in 2028 we would now
launch a Nigeria made satellite.”
Ewa enumerated the achievements of
the ministry to include the launch of
two low earth observation satellites –
NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X as well
as a communication satellite-NigComSat-1R. He also said a rocketry was successfully launched on Wednesday in Epe, Lagos, while about 40 doctors and 60 masters degree holders had been trained in space technologies.
“100 personnel from the military who have been trained in space applications this year are now ready to be involved in surveillance satellite project.”
Ewa said the ministry had conducted
several biotechnology researches and
developed products to boost food
production. On bio-safety, he said the ministry was awaiting the assent by the President to the Bio-safety Bill earlier passed by the National Assembly.
Some of the ministry’s achievements
in biotechnology according to him,
include the development of baseline
data generation for tsetse fly, human
and animal trypanosomiasis control
and eradication in Jigawa. Others are pilot production for malaria Hepatitis B and pregnancy test kits, and development of thermophilic anaerobic bio-digester for the management of bio-degradable waste and production of organic fertiliser.
He also mentioned capacity building
for commercial production of snails
and freshwater fish, design and
construction of mushroom houses at
Obasanjo Farms, Ota, and domestication of grasscutters among others. The minister disclosed that arrangement was ongoing on secure funding for the implementation of National Science and Technology Policy (NSTI).
Ewa said the policy would focus on the
promotion and coordination of
scientific and technological researches
in the country. The minister urged Nigerians to take advantage of available satellite resources and other products
developed for full commercialisation.
hope they are not just \fake promises here, and also one thing they gotta keep in mind is the fact that, 2015 is just three years from now, its not that long
Astronauts? Seriously? How about functioning refineries, power plants and railways first?
In NASA, usually a distinguished career as an ace pilot is a prerequisite for the astronaut program.
How many ace pilots we gat ??
Incidentally, their are a lot of nigerians that work in the NASA program. I heard we have the 3rd largest foreign presence at the institution after china and india.
I personally met one of those nigerians in the US. I think he had to undergo a liver or kidney transplant. Anyway, I hope he recovered well.
If nigeria’s space program gets serious, we should endevour to poach them from NASA. After all, most of them are products of nigeria’s early excellence in education, who were unfortunately lost to brain drain.
Therein lies some of the problems with the leadership of this nation.. obsession with photogenic but white elephant projects. Rather than work on fixing basic infrastructural problems like Electricity and broadband internet backbone 2 of the most important elements towards achieving technological greatness.. even improving the standard of education (from basic to the university) would go a long way to make Nigeria a technological super power.. Rather our leaders are obsessed with sending satellites and even a man to space.. To what ends? How does this aid technological development of Nigeria? Its a shame really and it shows how we never learn as a nation. Countries like Brazil and India first fixed basic fundamental problems facing their society before deciding to jump into the space race. Its like a man with a sore foot rather than treating it decide to spend money to buy a private jet.. yet his foot is rotting away. What a shame
Here we go again, we have not been able to do the basic thing that will satisfy the common man on the street ? no water, no roads, no electricity, no good governance, no employment opportunities, no security, every thing in the country is no no no no ……yet we want to go to space.
Please, satisfy at least half of our needs before going to space.
Another white elephant project to be abadoned half way, i know from history we cannot be fooled any longer
Wat if d govt is not aware of some of dis probs,wer dey re located n all dat. Dats y space technology is necessary. Quit d critcisms n b happy 4 nigeria 4 once cos i believe dat dis is goin 2 b our road 2 success. I love u NASRDA n prof Ewa. Keep d flame burning n am looking forward 2 c diz tins achieved.
I do not see any thing by our country sending an Astronaut into space;conversely,the time-wind(2012-2028) 16 years is too long to launch a made-in-Ngeria satellite in-country!
Are suppose to start from the scratch on how to build a rocket,launch pad and control stations etc?NO, the technologies are readily available in the international market!
The major systems of a rocket are the airframe,the propulsion system,and the guidance and control system.These systems are said to be highly interdependent and the choice of a particular system is strongly influenced by the purpose of the rocket.
These systems and all the softwares/hardwares involved in space technology could be gotten from such countries like China,Isreal,India,Pakistan,Iran,North Korea,Brazil,Ukraine South Korea etc.
Are we suppose to start from the scratch,the way the US and the Soviet Union started their respective space programmes? HELL NO!!!
The US were spending more than $4 billion per annum on their manned space programme,this was out of nation pride and national security interest,hence the FG should fund our space programme and other top-priority R&D projects generously.
Technologically nigeria is on the move . The only concern i have what does it take for nigeria to have stable electricity supply?. The only answer to the question is corruption in the highest order. Hopefully, the government could stop the unstable electricity supply in the country.Some of the official of PHON recieving bribe from Generator importer to disrupt power supply in the country. The government should do all it take to put an end to acute power shortage ..Any one found sabotage this effort should get life imprisonment and heavy fine.Let me conclude by saying this Nigerian is Nigerian problem
Seriously..? Nigeria.ok oh maybe by 2030.we can start harvesting the domesticated grasscutters and mushrooms…
Big J has his head in the clouds.and there is no stopping him..we just have to pray that the needs of the masses is put into consideration in their everyday policies