The plan to launch a satellite from Nigeria in 2025, as envisioned by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), is no longer feasible.
Part of Nigeria's targets was to launch a Nigerian astronaut in space and an indigenous satellite from Nigerian soil by 2025.
Nigeria could generate $20 million from launching a single satellite by developing its Assembly, Integration, and Testing Laboratory (AITL).

Halilu Shaba, the Director-General of the agency, conveyed this information during the ongoing 8th Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Expo, which revolves around the theme "STI: Solutions to National Economic Challenges."

According to the agency's 25-year roadmap, part of its targets was to launch a Nigerian astronaut in space and an indigenous satellite from Nigerian soil by 2025.

Launching a satellite is capital-intensive, and the agency is not financially ready, Shaba said. However, efforts are being made to develop the necessary capacity for future endeavours.

What the DG said:
"Presently, we don't have the window to send an astronaut to space, because it is very expensive. It is when we have the slot and make plans within the five years that we can launch an astronaut,"

"We cannot advise the government to train an astronaut now when we don't have the slot, the person may probably get older and not fit for space by the time we get a slot,"

"For the launch of a satellite, you don't design a big satellite in one year, it takes up to two years. We have all the manpower, but the resources are not here yet, and I doubt if we can achieve that even in 2027," he said.

He noted that the agency already has the design for a desired satellite, and with enhanced budgetary allocations, it has the potential to construct and launch a satellite from Nigeria shortly.

Nigerian space agency
Nigeria's space industry, led by NASRDA, is estimated to be worth up to $1 billion.
This is according to Dr. Halilu Shaba, the agency's Director General.
Nigeria's equator position provides a competitive advantage.

Shaba highlighted that the agency had been successful in developing the crucial assets and know-how required for the industry to thrive.

According to findings by the Nigerian news publication, Nairametrics, and a statement made by the director general, Nigeria's advantageous equator position gave the country a competitive edge and increased the sector's potential worth in comparison to certain other nations.

“The value of Nigeria’s space industry should be worth one billion dollars because we have developed the critical mass, we already have a design of what our next satellite will look like, but we need funds,” Dr. Halilu Shaba.

“Again, because we are sitting at the equator, all our communications satellites used to have very wide coverage, they are more than any other country. Angola launched but the footage is not all over Africa but our satellites will always have footage all over Africa, not only for West Africa and that gives us the market,” the director general added.

Dr. Halilu Shaba also stated that the agency is working hard to democratize space technology and include a wider range of Nigerians to raise awareness, assuring transparency in service delivery.

A lot of people use this technology without knowing, they use Global Positioning System (GPS), hand-held phones and they don’t even know that these are space technology,” Dr. Shaba stated.

“In everything we do these days, technology is being used but the common man is not even aware that it is this same technology. We are talking to the people who will break it down to the citizens through the relevant institutions,” he went on to add.

https://nairametrics.com/2024/03/13/nasrda-aborts-plan-to-launch-satellite-in-2025-over-lack-of-fund/

Hope them never embezzle the money like Nigeria Airways saga.

According to the agency's 25-year roadmap, part of its targets was to launch a Nigerian astronaut in space and an indigenous satellite from Nigerian soil by 2025.

So, basically, 25 years ago in 1999, Nigeria planned to launch a Nigerian astronaut in space and an indigenous satellite from Nigerian soil by 2025, but so far we do not have an airline?

Makes me wonder what we think of our selves.

https://techpoint.africa/2018/11/28/cstp-centre-epe/

Postponed Indefinitely

The only things that can happen in Nigeria without a date

👉 Embezzlement
👉 Senate and presidential brouhaha
👉 Chaos and Riots
👉 Kidnappings
👉 Religious Bullshit
👉 Tribal nonsense

Add yours

You need money to launch a satellite. No be small budget