With sophisticated spectral detecting technology, the ability of NigeriaSat-2 launched in 2011 to take large synoptic scenes has made it economically attractive. In this report, Dr. Spencer Onuh, one of Nigeria’s top space managers, provide details of Nigeria’s space programme, its vision, achievements, challenges and the keys to its success.
In May 5, 1999, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria established the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), approving the National Space Policy and Programmes, to drive the country’s road map to the attainment of self-reliance, particularly in the areas of indigenous critical mass of trained space engineers and scientists. Today, Nigerian has an advanced programme, made up over 50 trained scientists and engineers at doctoral level, supporting her dream of utilizing space-derived data for National development and improvement on the quality of life of every Nigerian.
Nigeria satellites Innovations
So far, five satellites have been launched by the Nigerian government into outer space. Early plans to launch a national satellite in 1976 were not executed until 2003. The NigeriaSat-1 was the first Nigerian satellite built by a United Kingdom-based satellite technology company, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, (SSTL). The satellite was launched by Kosmos-3M rocket from a Russian spaceport on 27th September 2003. NigeriaSat-1 was part of the global Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) System. The primary objectives of NigeriaSat-1 were to provide early warning signals of environmental disaster, detection and control desertification in the northern part of Nigeria, and to assist in demographic planning. Other objectives of Nigeria’s early bird include establishing relationship between malaria vectors and the environment that breeds malaria while also providing early warning signals on future outbreaks of meningitis using remote sensing technology. In the area of natural resource management, NigeriaSat-1 provide invaluable support in conflict resolution and border disputes by mapping out state and International borders.
NigeriaSat-1 is a satellite of the standard Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) design. It has 100 kg mass and carries an optical imaging payload to provide 32m ground resolution with an exceptionally wide swath width of over 640 km. The payload uses green, red and near infrared bands equivalent to LandSat TM+ bands 2, 3 and 4. Images are stored in a 1-gigabyte solid-state data recorder and returned via an 8-Mbit/s S-band downlink. NigeriaSat-1 can image scenes as large as 640 X 560 km, providing unparalleled wide-area, medium-resolution data. The data will be used within Nigeria to monitor pollution, land use and other medium-scale phenomena.
Similarly, NigeriaSat-2 (N2) and NigeriaSat-X (Nx) are Nigeria’s third and fourth satellites. They were built as high-resolution earth observation satellites by Surrey Space Technology Limited (SSTL) for Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) system. N2 has 2.5-metre resolution panchromatic (very high resolution), 5-metre multispectral (high resolution, (Near Infrared Radiation) NIR red, green and red bands), and 32-metre multispectral (medium resolution, NIR red, green and red bands) antennas. These satellites were launched into orbit by Ukrainian Dnepr rocket from a military base in Russia on 17 August 2011.
NigComSat-1, a communication satellite ordered and built in China in 2004, was Nigeria’s second satellite and Africa’s first communication satellite. It was launched on 13th May 2007, aboard a Chinese carrier rocket, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China. The spacecraft was operated by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) and the Nigerian Space Agency, NASRDA. Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat)is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), incorporated as a state owned enterprise, fully funded and owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria. NigComSat Limited is currently being supervised by the newly created Ministry of communications Technology and regulated by Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
On 10th November 2008 (0900 GMT), the NigComSat-1 was reportedly switched off for analysis and also to avoid a possible collision with other satellites in space. According to Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, it was put into “emergency mode operation in order to effect mitigation and repairs”. The satellite eventually failed after losing power on 11th November 2008.
The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, NigComSat Ltd and CGWIC (China Great Wall Industry Corporation)on 24th March 2009, signed a further contract for the in-orbit delivery of the NigComSat-1R satellite. NigComSat-1R was also a DFH-4 satellite, and was delivered in the fourth quarter of 2011 as a replacement for the failed NigComSat-1.A new Nigerian communications satellite (NigComSat-1R) was launched into orbit by Nigeria in Xichang, China on 19th December 2011with no cost to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Space centres
In the framework of the Nigeria’s space agenda, a multi-institutional approach was put in place to dissipates energy and fulfil Nigeria’s vision in various capacities. These institutions are to act as the operational or functional branches of NASRDA as a whole. In all of the operational Centres, research and development programmes provide unique opportunities for international cooperation and partnership, particularly directed towards finding effective solutions to local problems.
These operational Centres are:
(i) Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS) Nsukka: this centre is mandated to provide a sound education, research and knowledge in basic science, astronomy/astrophysics, rocketry and balloons, geomagnetism as well as designing and fabricating appropriate systems, instrumentations and telescopes.
(ii) National Centre for Remote Sensing (NCRS) Jos: this is the earliest of Nigeria’s space centre charged with the sole responsibility of harmonizing research and development in space science and technology application for sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
In order to accomplish this, it would require satellite data acquisition, archiving and distribution, possibly aided by the establishment of a multi-source satellite receiving station and development of application solutions.
(iii) Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) Abuja: this centre have its primary focus on indigenous critical mass of trained engineers and scientists in all rudiments of satellite technology-building, launching, telemetry, tracking and control of all kinds of satellites such as Earth Observation, Communication, Weather, Scientific Research, etc.
(iv) Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG) Toro: the earth core centre, was established to facilitate capacity for geodetic surveying and mapping, as well as monitoring of coastal deformation and subsistence due to excessive oil and gas exploitation, floods and global mean sea level rise and other related seismic and geodynamic phenomena including implementation of international agreements with respect to Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and cooperative international Global Positioning System (GPS) network.
(v) Centre for Space Transport & Propulsion (CSTP) Epe: this centre is the Africa’s conduit to space and is mandated to focus on rapid advances in the science and technology of Rocketry, the main transportation vehicles.
(vi) Centre for Space Science and Technology Education (ARCSSTE) Ile-Ife: this centre was affiliated to the United Nations African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education established for the Anglophone countries. Its main function is to develop curriculum, skills and knowledge of university educators, research scientists and train other professionals and personnel in the applications of satellite remote sensing, meteorology and communication and geographic information system to sustainable development.
Indigenous satellite
“The Centre for Satellite Technology Development, CSTD is the key entity behind the much revered achievements of Nigeria’s pet projects to harness its indigenous capacity for satellite technology-building, launching, telemetry, tracking and control of all satellites such as Earth Observation, Communication, Weather, and Scientific Research.” CSTD is Nigeria’s platform that is projecting these activities on the same latitude.
Under the leadership of Dr Spencer Onuh, the Centre has set for itself the target of building an indigenous satellite by 2018. Key to this goal is the current development of an indigenous ‘work in progress’ satellite called Isounsat-1, a Pico satellite, weighing less than 1Kg, for observation of NASRDA space asset, observation of near Earth Object (Debris), and in-house capacity building. The satellite, named after Nigeria’s one time Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun is expected to be first ever satellite designed and launch in Nigeria.
In addition, Platform for High Altitude Sensors (simply put as PHASE MISSION), is yet another space project initiated to uplift the Nigeria’s space programme. Phase mission is a Balloon project for atmospheric measurement such as temperature, humidity, pressure and other atmospheric parameters thereby boosting the Nigeria’s weather forecasting capacities. Some other innovations are satellites weighing between 1kg-10kg such as Nano satellite, Microsatellite, CubeSat satellite.
Conclusion
Today space exploration is considered by many visionaries and scientists, as a future source of energy through the use of solar power satellites and the construction of lunar solar power stations. As a result of the innovation and commercial success of the Space centre, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has a road map which spelt out the commercialization plans.
The direct benefits will be employment, revenues from sales, new markets, cost savings, employment and technology reliability, while the indirect ones will be promotion, technology innovation, international cooperation and environment protection.
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