SERA, NASRDA, Blue Origin Partner to Send First Nigerian to Space

The Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and Blue Origin have joined forces to send the first Nigerian citizen into space.

This groundbreaking partnership marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s space exploration journey and opens new avenues for scientific research and technological advancement.

The SERA, NASRDA, and Blue Origin Nigerian Space Partnership

The SERA-NASRDA-Blue Origin partnership will see SERA, a global space agency dedicated to increasing access to space for all nations, reserve a seat on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital spaceflight for a Nigerian citizen.

This is part of a broader SERA-led initiative, in partnership with Blue Origin, to send six individuals from nations historically underrepresented in space exploration.

“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, and we are honored to partner with NASRDA to extend this legacy into space and create new opportunities for Nigerian space explorers,” said Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder of SERA.

SERA, NASRDA, and Blue Origin Nigerian Space Partnership: NASRDA’s Role

NASRDA, established in 1999, has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s space exploration efforts.

Since the launch of the nation’s first satellite, Nigeria Sat-1, in 2003, the agency has launched five other satellites and made progressive steps towards technological development in space exploration.

“This partnership is a testament to Nigeria’s growing prominence in the global space community. It is a step towards the realisation of our objective of putting man in space as stated in our National Space Policy and Program, and we are excited to work with SERA and Blue Origin to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a Nigerian to journey to space and contribute to our nation’s scientific and technological progress,” said Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director General/Chief Executive of NASRDA.

Learnspace Foundation’s Advocacy

The partnership was made possible with the pivotal role played by a Nigerian NGO, Learnspace Foundation.

The foundation’s president, Dr. Anne Agi, successfully advocated for Nigeria to be chosen as the African country for this historic mission.

“Space has the power to inspire future generations, and Learnspace believes this mission serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for Nigerian youths, showing that even in challenging times, with global collaboration, great achievements are possible. We are thrilled to have played a part in this groundbreaking partnership and encourage Nigerians to key in,” said Dr. Agi.

Blue Origin’s Commitment

This privately funded initiative demonstrates SERA’s commitment to making space accessible to all and fostering international collaboration in space exploration.

The SERA-NASRDA collaboration builds upon SERA’s previous success in sending Victor Hespanha, a Brazilian civil engineer, to space in 2022, showcasing the transformative power of an inclusive and accessible space ecosystem.

“This program exemplifies our commitment to making space accessible to everyone. We are proud to support SERA and NASRDA in their efforts to send the first Nigerian to space and inspire the next generation of space explorers,” said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s New Shepard program.

Significance for Nigeria’s Space Ambitions

The partnership is a significant step forward for Nigeria’s space ambitions, which have been in the works for over two decades.

With the launch of the National Space Policy in 2000 and the establishment of NASRDA, Nigeria has made steady progress in space exploration, including the launch of six satellites.

This SERA, NASRDA, and Blue Origin Nigerian space partnership marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s space journey, inspiring the nation’s youth and contributing to its scientific and technological advancement.

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