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Nigeria Aims High: First Nigerian Set For Space Journey
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Nigerian Space Journey: The Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) and Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) have collaborated to send the first Nigerian citizen into space.
This partnership marks a milestone in Nigeria’s space exploration endeavors. It promises to create more opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement.
This great feat also positions the country as the first in Africa to achieve such.
Nigerian Space Journey
The collaboration will see SERA reserve a seat on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital spaceflight for a Nigerian citizen.
The SERA-funded project is open to all Nigerians aged 18 years and above.
The partnership is part of a broader partnership with Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin, to send six individuals from different nations underrepresented in space exploration.
Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder of SERA, said, “Until now, space has been an exclusive domain, with over 80% of all astronauts to date coming from just three countries.”
“Nigeria has a rich history of scientific and technological innovation. We are honored to partner with NASRDA to extend this legacy into space and create new opportunities for Nigerian space explorers.”
Nigerian Space Journey, A Core Objective of NSPP
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, emphasized the significance of human space flight as a core objective of Nigeria’s National Space Policy and Programme (NSPP).
Also Read: SERA, NASRDA, Blue Origin Partner to Send First Nigerian to Space
He noted that the NSPP, which was approved in 2001, identified human space flight as one of its pillars. This is with a 25-year roadmap initiated in 2005 aiming for the first human space flight by 2018.
He said, “We are about six years behind schedule, but the signing of the MoU signifies our commitment to achieving this goal.”
Conclusion
Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, also expressed his excitement about the collaboration. He expressed seeing it as a step towards realizing Nigeria’s goal of putting a person in space.
Also, he noted that he looks forward to working with SERA and Blue Origin to provide this unique opportunity for a Nigerian to contribute to the nation’s scientific and technological progress.
