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National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)

In 1998, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The administration also set up a National Council on Space Science Technology to oversee the program, underscoring the importance with which government viewed the program, President Obasanjo was the chairman while Vice President Abubakar Atiku was the vice chairman.

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is part of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. The primary objective of NASRDA was to establish a fundamental policy for the development of space science and technology and to establish and coordinate the activities of Space Research Centres in the country. NASRDA will spend $93m in the development of a space program. Initial funding for NASRDA is spread over four years, beginning in 2001, after which it is expected to generate its own renenues.

The Ministry of Science and Technology started its existence as a Council in 1970 and then became for the first time, a full-fledged ministry in 1980. Consequently, the effective life span of the ministry is several decades, but unfortunately for the greater part of this period, it has been very bitter. This was a result of the ministry's checkered history of being merged and demerged from one ministry to the other until it finally got scrapped in 1992 and then got reestablished by the Shonekan interim Administration in 1993.

NASRDA was to have six centres including one handling space transport and propulsion. A space command centre at the Nigerian defence ministry was to be created. The Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy (CASA) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka is one of the four campus-based Centres for Space Science and Technology created by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The African Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education - English [ARCSTEE] operates under the auspices of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Abuja. The history of this center can be traced back to a conference held in Vienna in 1982 (UNISPACE 82), which made a recommendation to the United Nations to help develop indigenous capabilities in space science and technology at the local level. While Nigeria was picked (with Obafemi Awolowo University as the host institution), to serve African countries where English is one of the official languages, it was decided that there was need for a separate center to cater for "Francophone" African countries. That center has since been established in Rabat, Morocco.

The the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is mandated to coordinate and consolidate all space and technology activities that would lead to development of a Nigerian satellite. By June 2001, government approved the policy and programmes of its Space Technology agenda, thus creating the enabling environment for the actualization of the NigeriaSat-1 project.

NASRDA began by embarking on a technical initiative aimed at building technical know-how among indigenous Nigerian engineers and scientists. Fifteen Nigerians, each selected from different states in the federation, were recruited and sent to the United Kingdom to train on satellite technology. They acquired skills needed to design, fabricate and build the satellite.

Centre for Basic Space Science [CBSS]

This is a key to the prosperity of the nation and is crucial to any country's significant economic and social development. Without a sound educational and research base in the field of basic space science, there cannot be any expectation of practical benefits for the country and her citizens. The goal of the Centre for Basic Space Science, therefore, is to pursue capacity building (manpower and infrastructure development) that can address the development needs of the country.

Centre for Satellite Technology Development [CSTD]

The Satellite Technology Development Centre shall be the primary focus for the development of satellite payloads for both geostationary and non-geostationary satellites. In particular, the centre shall collaborate with Surrey Satellite Limited in the fabrication and launching of Nigeria's first orbital satellite, NIGERSAT-1. Thereafter it will seek collaboration with other specialized agencies, institutions and companies in capacity building and development of advanced satellite systems for both remote sensing applications and communications.

Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics [CGG]

Geodesy and Geodynamics form an integral part of the national participation in international cooperative programmes and projects related to space science. The goal of the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics is to achieve Nigeria's capability, manpower and hardware development towards sufficiently addressing several important national issues. These include surveying and mapping, remote sensing for mineral exploitation, coastal deformation and subsidence, as well as floods and global mean sea level monitoring. The Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics will be located at Toro, Bauchi State. The choice of Toro is predicated on the solid geological bedrock upon which the town is located. This can serve as an immobile belt on which sensitive tracking systems and other equipment can be situated. In addition, a Global Mean Sea Level Coordination Centre will be established in Bori, Rivers State with monitoring sites in Bonny, Brass, and Forcados. This centre will be responsible for the monitoring of coastal deformations, subsidence, flood and global mean sea level along Nigerian coastal regions.

Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion [CSTP]

The Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion will lead the way towards the development of locally built rocketry to literally and figuratively drive Nigerian space program. As the Giant of Africa and the leader of the black world, it is imperative that Nigeria take the initiative in the all important task of developing and acquiring a capability in rocket technology. The objectives of the Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion will be threefold. First, to develop and acquire the technology to manufacture the necessary components for rockets. Second, to develop various types of fuels for rocket propulsion. Finally, to develop the technological capability to launch rockets for both military and civil applications.

National Centre for Remote Sensing, JOS (NCRS]

Remote sensing is technology developed to obtain primary data about objects on the surface of the earth observed from the altitude of space. The information obtained through this process is used for the assessment and management of natural resources as well as the environment. For the near term, the plan is to develop the permanent site of the NCRS in Jos as well as to build a national earth observation ground receiving station. The latter will be accomplished through partnerships between Nigerian scientists and selected foreign partners. Training will also be conducted to ensure that Nigerians will be able to run the NCRS and its associated programs themselves. For the longer term, the intense training and education will be utilised towards Nigeria building its own earth observation and communication satellites by the year 2003.

Centre for Space Science and Technology Education [CSSTE]

The Centre for Space Science and Technology Education (CSSTE) will serve to enhance the skills of those already knowledgeable in subjects relevant to space science. CESSTE will serve towards the development of skills and knowledge for university educators, research scientists and other personnel in four principal focus areas: remote sensing and geographic information systems, satellite communication and global positioning systems, meteorological satellite applications, and basic space and atmospheric sciences technology. These highly capable Nigerians will then develop curricula and other materials towards training others and building up an expansive talent pool of Nigerians skilled in space science and technology.