National Space Research and Development Agency

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The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is the national space agency of Nigeria. It is a part of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and it is overseen by the National Council on Space Science Technology.

1 History
2 Scope
3 About
4 VISION STATEMENT
5 Planned missions
6 Moon landing
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History

NASRDA was established in 1998 by the Nigerian government with a primary objective of establishing a "fundamental policy for the development of space science and technology" with an initial budget of $93 million.

[edit] Scope

The initial scope of the Nigerian Space Programme (NSP) to be implemented by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) should include:

The study of basic space science in order to lay the foundation for deriving maximum benefits from the nation’s participation in the space enterprise; For the attainment of space capabilities, Nigeria’s efforts should focus on research and rigorous education, engineering development, design and manufacture, particularly in the areas of instrumentation, rocketry and small satellites as well as in satellite data acquisition, processing, analysis and management of related software; The establishment of a national earth observation station for remote sensing and satellite meteorology data acquisition. Such an infrastructure will enhance the indigenous ability to adopt, modify and create new techniques for national resources inventories, monitoring, evaluation and management; The provision of efficient, reliable and adequate telecommunications services in Nigeria in order to enhance the growth of the industrial, commercial and administrative sectors of the economy. The focus areas of the National Space Programme (NSP) include:

Basic Space Science and Technology to provide the understanding of how the universe works and what its impact is on the world. This will enable us to lay the foundation for deriving maximum benefits from the nation’s participation in the space enterprise.

Remote Sensing to help Nigerians understand and manage our environment and natural resources using space-acquired information. This technology will enable us to better understand our land, air and water resources and their associated problems.

Satellite Meteorology to study atmospheric and weather sciences using satellite data to facilitate the effective management of our environment.

Communication and Information Technology to provide efficient and reliable telecommunications services for Nigeria in order to enhance the growth of the industrial, commercial and administrative sectors of the economy.

Defence and Security. The Federal Government shall develop a necessary Space Science Technology (SST) programme that will address the national needs of Nigeria. For this purpose the government shall establish a Defence Space Command in the Ministry of Defence. The Command shall comprise representatives of the defence, intelligence, security and law enforcement services and report through the Ministry of Defence to the National Space Council.

[edit] About

Nigeria is a nation endowed with an abundance of human and natural resources. The present administration has recognised that if properly harnessed, these resources will enable Nigeria to take her rightful place as a major African and world leader. Central to the realisation of Nigeria’s potentials are the programmes of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology under the guidance of Honourable Minister Professor Turner T. Isoun. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), tasked with implementing the National Space Policy, is a product of that broader vision of Nigeria’s technological potential, a vision that opens the door to a Nigeria greater by far than the one we know today.

Critics may call in to question the rationale of a country struggling with issues such as food, security and debt relief launching an ambitious space program. However, it is important to realize that unless Nigeria seeks to develop on all levels simultaneously, after successfully resolving the immediate problems, the country will still find itself technologically behind and underdeveloped.

[edit] VISION STATEMENT

To advance Nigerian indigenous competence in developing, designing and building appropriate hardware and software in space technology as an essential tool for its socio-economic development and the enhancement of the quality of life of its people.