Nigeria set to lauch 3 satelite

Posted by Cash On on 2012-05-18 0

The Minister of Science
and Technology said on
Thursday that Nigeria
would launch three
satellites and send astronauts to space by
2015. The minister stated this in
Abuja
at the on going
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
Nigeria SAR-1 satellite. The Nigeria SAR 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
back up of the
communication satellite
there will be Nigeria Sat-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.”
the minister enumerated
the achievements of the
ministry to include the
launch of two low earth
observation satellites –
Nigeria Sat-2 and Nigeria Sat-
X as well as a communication satellite-
Nig Com Sat-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 base line
data generation for tsetse
fly, human and animal trypanosomiasis
control and eradication
. 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 fresh water
fish, design and construction of mushroom
houses at
Obasanjo Farms, Ota, and
domestication of grass
cutters 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.