Lanre M.Adetoro,
Olalekan H.Aro National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), This paper gives a brief description of the space
policy and activities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria implemented through National
space Research and development Agency, (NASRDA) 1. Introduction 1.1. National space policy
and visions Since the
Russians launched SPUTNIK into the orbit in 1957, space exploration and the
exploitation of space resources have become dominant factors in communication,
national security, natural resources management, prediction, navigation and
management of natural disasters. The spin-offs of space exploration are
generating new products, new ideas and solutions in medicine, manufacturing
industry, agriculture, microwave engineering, food technology and material
science. Thus space technology can impact on the socio-economic development of
any Nation when integrated into the development strategy. In view of the above,
Nigerian government decided to evolve a space policy to address the space needs
of the nation. Following the 1.2.
Vision and mission statement of The following
vision and mission statements were derived from the Vision Statement. 1.3.
Objectives of The
objective of the Nigeria National space policy programme is to make space
research and development activities part of the overall strategies for
sustainable national development. To achieve this objective, the National space
programmes have their main thrust as follows: - To develop strategies and space application in the areas of: National recourses management, communication and information management, study of earth and its environment, education and training, to promote international cooperation, promote private sector participation in the space industry and provide support for universities and other academic institutions in space related research and development projects etc. -
Development
of human resources and capacity building in various areas of space science and
technology. -
To
develop and build competence in space technologies of direct relevance to
national development and to enhancement the quality of life of its people
through various space applications programs. 1.4.
Activities Centres under NASRDA and their mandate The
implementations of the above keys objectives was decentralized through the
establishments of six activities centers located in different part of the
countries each saddled with unique responsibilities so as to attain the
objectives with supervision of NASRDA. The
establishment of NASRDA marked the beginning of active space research in -
Centre for Satellite Technology
Development (CSTD), -
Centre for Space Transport and
Propulsion (CSTP), Epe, -
Centre for Basic Space Science
and Astronomy (CBSSA), Nsukka, - Centre for Space Science Technology Education (CSSTE), Ile-Ife, Osun state with the mandate to undertake capacity building in all areas of Space science and Technology. - National Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos, with mandate to carry out research and development in applications areas of Earth Observation and Remote Sensing. - Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics, Toro, with the mandate to carry out research and development in areas of crust movement. 2. Space assets Since its establishment, NASRDA has successfully embarked on two satellites projects through international collaboration. In September
2003, NigeriaSat-1 which is a sun-synchronous satellite was launched from Also, in May 2007, NASRDA made another landmark
achievement by launching a geostationary satellite, Nigcomsat-1 into orbit also
through an international corporation This satellite is designed to serve, not
only the communication need of In addition,
there is an ongoing project on Nigeriasat-2 at -
The training of fifteen young Nigerian
scientists and Engineers on the design and building of all sub-systems of the Nigeriasat-1
spacecraft. -
Orbit maintenance and housekeeping of
Nigeriasat-1 satellite by - Know how technology transfers (KHTT) training of 50 Nigerian engineers and scientists on communication satellite design. -
Global monitoring of Disaster using the Disaster
Monitoring constellation satellite in which Nigeriasat-1 is a member. -
Space application support for sustainable
national development using image and data from Nigeriasat-1. -
Preparation of Image map using satellite
technology for economic planning of -
Participation and Involvement in Local and
International Workshops. -
Telemedicine, e-government and e-conference
application services projects etc. 2.1. Focus areas of the Nigerian
Space Program -
Basic Space Science and Technology that can provide the understanding
space environments and its effects especially on how it impacts the world. This
will enable -
Remote sensing that will help scientists and
government, understand and manage environment and natural resources using
space-acquired information. This technology will enable government understand
land, air and water resources and their associated problems. -
Satellite Meteorology including study of atmospheric and weather sciences
using satellite data so as to facilitate the effective management of -
Communication and Information Technology that will provide efficient and
reliable telecommunications services for Nigeria in order to enhance the growth
of the industrial, commercial and administrative sectors of the economy. -
Career Development through Education, Training
and know how technology transfer. The agency prepares its identified manpower so as to
address the unique responsibilities and challenges of space programme. The
career development will be achieved through a combina-tion of formal and
informal training and various development methodologies which include: -
Know how technology transfer programmes
(KHTT). -
Sponsor of agency's engineers and scientists
on Postgraduate qualifications (MSc.&PhD) in highly reputable international
institutions in relevant fields of space technology. -
Participation of professional Science and
Engineering Societies, Engineers/Scientists in local and international
Technical Conferences, Seminars and Workshops in Space related fields so as to
enrich their knowledge and enhance their competence. -
Professional certification courses, Membership
of Space societies and Subscription to Space journals. 3. Highlight of the activities of
NASRDA Irrespective
of the fact that Nigeria is a developing country and lack competence manpower
in space research and development, a few modest achievements have been recorded
by the agency through international collaborations with space technology
developed countries and companies all over the world. 3.1.
Some of the achievements include: (1)
Medium resolution earth observation satellite
Project (Nigeriasat-1). (2)
A communication satellite (NigComSat1) which
has now domesticated the hosting of communication/internet bands in the country.
The satellite is also expected to improve the provision of GSM services in (3)
The Space Agency is presently working on
NigerianSat2 which is expected to be launched by 2010. 3.2.
Launching of Earth Observation satellite (Nigeriasat-1) in 2003 Nigeriasat-1
project was conceived with under listed mission statements: -
-
-
Build and launch a low earth orbit
microsatellite. -
Establish and control a ground control station
for the satellite in -
Control and maintain the satellite in the
ground control station by 3.3.
Description of Nigeriasat-1
Approximately 100kg microsatellite with 5 years life
time.
Imaging payload of 32m GSD.
On board data storage of 2X0.5Gbyte SSDR to
support daily imaging activities.
Main download at 8Mbps at S-band using QPSK
modulation scheme. The lifespan of
Nigeriasat-1 has expired and the satellite would be replaced in 2009 by a more
accurate and better stand alone Nigeriasat-2 which is also being built in 3.4. The Consortium of DMC 3.5. The Constellation ALSAT-1; Beijing-1; NigeriaSat-1; Bilsat;
Status
of Nigeriasat-1: Though the five years mission life has
expired but the satellite is still in operation in orbit and is expected to be
replaced with Nigeriasat- 3.6. Nigeriasat-2 Nigeriasat-2
though stand alone, will replace Nigeriasat- 3.7.
Nigcomsat-1 The First
Nigeria communication satellite was built with the following requirements: provide Ku-band, C-band, Ka-band and
navigation payloads capability. The Ku-band payload will
have 14 operational channels, 2 fixed beams over Western and The Ka-band payload will have 8 channels
providing communications using 3 fixed spot beams over The navigation payload shall receive 2 uplink
signals at C-band covering The TC&R system shall be provided at
C-band. The TT&C facilities will be located at Nigcomsat-1 will provide different kinds of communication services which include intra national telephone relays, direct-to-home television services, direct radio services, broadband data communication services and navigation services for GPS signal integrity and augmentation etc. and has a mission life of 15 years. This project also include know how technology transfer and training
(KHTT) for 50 The satellite was launched on 13th may 2007 after
intensive design, assembly, integration, verification and test with experts
advice and supervision from 3.8. Applications of Nigcomsat-1 The payload of NigComSat-1 Satellite includes Ku, C,
L, Ka four bands and will provide fixed communication service, broadcast
communication service and Navigation payload service. Orbit: Geostationary orbit. Status of Nigcomsat-1: The satellite experiences some problems after
eighteen months in orbit and is expected to be replaced with NigComSat-R so as
to meet the communication need of 4. Human capacity building In the area of human capacity
building, NASRDA always includes know how and technology transfer training
(KHTT) for her scientists and engineers on Spacecrafts subsystems conceptual
designs and modeling during any of her major satellite projects. The Agency has trained over
seventy engineers and scientists during the building of past satellites
projects and is still training some on the on going satellite project. The above-listed objectives are not an easy task to achieve within 25 years, but NASRDA consider it to be a challenge that can be overcome. To achieve these objectives, NASRDA is collaborating with major players in the space industry for technological assistance. |
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