Nigeria launches new satellites in Russia

Written by Ayodele Adesanmi and Leon Usigbe, Abuja
Thursday, August 18, 2011

Nigeria has again recorded a giant stride in its quest for the utilisation of space technology and application for socio-economic development, following the successful launch of its two new Earth Observation satellites, on Wednesday, in Russia.



The new satellites, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X were successfully launched into the synchronous orbit at the launch site in Yasny in the Russian Federation at exactly 8:12 a.m. local time.

The head, Media and Corporate Affairs, National Space Research and Development Agency, Mr Felix Ale, said the successful launch of the two spacecrafts was historic, adding that both satellites had been turned on and were currently being monitored from NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X ground station at the NASRDA headquarters in Abuja.

NigeriaSat-2 is a high resolution satellite with a 2.5m panchromatic view, and an improvement on NigeriaSat-1 which was launched in 2003. NigeriaSat-X was solely built to flight standard by Nigerian engineers and scientists using the facilities of Surrey Satellite Technology UK.

Congratulating members of the delegation to the launch in Russia, the leader of the delegation, Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa, Minister of Science and Technology, described the two satellites as the president's gift to all Nigerians. He said it re-echoed Nigeria's unrelenting efforts and giant strides in technology for innovation and development.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Nigerians over the successful launch on Wednesday of two new satellites which he said opened a new chapter in the nation's transformational effort.

Speaking just before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in State House, Abuja on Wednesday, he observed that the launch of Nigeriasat-x designed and built by Nigerian engineers and scientists and Nigeriasat-2, which was built in collaboration with international partners, was a milestone in the drive to solve national problems through space technology.

According to him, "I congratulate our nation for his new chapter in our transformational efforts as we strive for self reliance. Let me also congratulate the resourceful Nigerians who made this history possible."