The Nigeria Space program (NSP) -By Abdulfatah Habeeb

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is a research institution that is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology of Nigeria. The Agency was established on May 5, 1999 by Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo and the Nigerian government with a primary objective of establishing a fundamental policy for the development and application of space science and technology for socio-economic benefits of the nation with an initial budget of $93 million. It is overseen by the National Council On Space Science Technology. The Agency based in the Nigerian capital Abuja has a ground receiving station. Nigeria has cooperation in space technology with the United Kingdom, Ukraine, China and Russia. NASRDA is host to one of UN-SPIDER’s Regional Support Offices (RSO) in Africa. The RSO in Nigeria was established in 2008 with the mandate to promote and support the use of space technology within and outside of Nigeria.

The initial scope of the Nigerian Space Programme (NSP) to be implemented by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) should include:

The study of basic space science in order to lay the foundation for deriving maximum benefits from the nation’s participation in the space enterprise; For the attainment of space capabilities, Nigeria’s efforts should focus on research and rigorous education, engineering development, design and manufacture, particularly in the areas of instrumentation, rocketry and small satellites as well as in satellite data acquisition, processing, analysis and management of related software;

Such an infrastructure will enhance the indigenous ability to adopt, modify and create new techniques for national resources inventories, monitoring, evaluation and management; the provision of efficient, reliable and adequate telecommunications services in Nigeria in order to enhance the growth of the industrial, commercial and administrative sectors of the economy.

In 2003 the nation’s first satellite, NigSat was built in collaboration with Surrey Space Technology (SST) in the UK and launched in Kosmodrom Plesetsk, Russia, as part of a world disaster monitoring and relief constellation. Since that launch, Nigeria has made progressive steps to establish itself as Africa’s powerhouse in terms of science and technological development in space exploration.

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) was established with a view of breaking new frontiers through space exploration. The Agency was established with the main objective to pursue the development and application of space focused science and technology for the socio-economic benefits of the nation.

This report aims to provide an overview of the regulatory framework of space law in Nigeria and consider the benefits of exploration of space using satellites. In addition, it will look at the major problem plaguing the sector and it shall consider a possible solution to the issue as highlighted.

REGULATORY STRUCTURE OF SPACE LAW.

The National Space Research and Development Act (2010) is the primary legislation governing the operation of space related activities. The Act established the National Space Research and Development Agency and the National Space Council which is the highest policy making body for space science and technological development in the country. Nigeria is also a party state to the space treaties of the United Nations, which have been accepted by the National Assembly.

In view of executing its mandate as efficient as possible, the NASDRA adopted a multi-institution strategy, thus establishing six centers namely:

1. The Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy
2. The National Centre for Remote Sensing
3. The Centre for Satellite Technology Development
4. The Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics
5. The African Regional Centre for Space and Technology Education
6. The Centre for Space Transport & Propulsion

The Technical and International Cooperation Committees help in shaping the Agency’s programmes while the Centers are activity centers for the nation’s space programmes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SATELITES

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has been breaking new grounds regarding the undertaking of regular socio-economic tasks such as security surveillance, weather predictions, agriculture control and so on. The main means of exploring the vast black is by launching a satellite. So far five satellites have been launched by the Nigerian government into outer space.

Hence, the benefits of the usage of satellites can be captured as follows:

Surveillance and Security Control

The location of a satellite allows them to provide a view of a vast area of earth at a glance. This vital tool is an asset as it allows the satellite collect data faster and more effectively than the instruments on the ground.

Prior to the advent of satellites, telephone and television signals could not travel far due to obstructions in the form of large buildings, mountains and other objects. In addition, these signals only travelled in straight lines instead of following the curve of the earth.  However, satellites provide a medium for these signals to be sent upward to a satellite then almost instantly, the satellite can send them back down to different locations on earth

For instance: the recently launched NigeriaSat-X has the capacity to capture 100 percent of Nigeria’s landmarks and these images are submitted for the purpose of national planning and development.

In addition, following arguably the most controversial attack by the terrorist group known as Boko Haram i.e. the kidnapping of the Chibok Girls, the nation relied upon the images provided by the satellites to have a clear view of the Sambisa Forest.

Agricultural Purposes

The utilization of a satellite will make it easier to explore the country and assess the rate of crop cultivation in the different parts of Nigeria. Furthermore, it will allow farmers assess the areas with the best soil and the areas that require more attention. The satellites will also monitor large scale food production and calculate likely shortages and allow the state take preventive measures to overcome these shortcomings.

Disaster Management

This often refers to the satellite’s ability to predict weather forecasts in order to quickly prepare in the event of a natural disaster. Satellites are used to assess the state of the environment and alert the operators in the event that a change in weather is about to occur. As a testament of the credibility of the highly skilled scientists and engineers that constitute the nation’s space program, in 2005 NigeriaSat-1 was the first satellite to send back pictures of the east coast of the US following Hurricane Katrina.

The Nigeria Satellites are also part of the International Disaster Monitoring Constellation, coordinated by SST. This network of satellites includes Chinese, Spanish and UK spacecraft that can provide rapid images from space when environmental disasters strike.

National Planning

Another socio-economic advantage of the usage of satellites includes the ability to use the high-resolution images of the country for urban planning, population control, tax collection and assessment of electoral boundaries ahead of national general elections. It is used to effectively manage the rapidly growing population of Africa’s giant and monitor the distribution of resources according to demand.

CHALLENGES FACING SATELLITE EXPLORATION

The major problem that is plaguing the NASRDA is the unavailability of sufficient funds to effectively execute their mandate. The Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) has attested to the wealth in human capital the country possesses; however, they lack the financial support to set up the Assembly Integration and Testing (AIT) centers, which is at the heart of the space programme.

The CSTD also require funds to purchase the effective devices to back-up the institutions data. Every institution should have a reliable back-up facility in the event of a natural disaster or an accident that tarnishes the center’s resources.

Private sector investment is also required for the infrastructural advancement of the sector. As stated earlier, the nation is rich in human capital, however continuous training is required in order to maintain global competitiveness. Also, the creation of a Design Centre and an Assembling and Integration Centre would allow Nigerians build satellites domestically, thus cutting costs and creating an additional source of revenue by monetizing the facility in the event that other nations desire to utilize our facilities.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF SATELLITE EXPLORATION

To solve the issue of insufficient funds to achieve their mandate, the sector should be privatized so as to raise sufficient funds and encourage the level of training required to achieve the full potential of the sector, a good example is how the National aeronautics space administration (NASA) and Spacex are closely working together in the United States space program. Alternatively, the stakeholders may consider Public-Private Partnerships between the government and private individuals.

Furthermore, the National Space Research and Development Act (2010) may make a provision for the implementation of a separate fund for the attainment of space related solutions and research. This fund would ensure easy access and disbursement of the funds generated for the purpose of the development of the sector. 

It is also important for the Federal Government to undertake enlightenment programs to acquaint private sector investors and the general public of the benefits associated with satellite exploration.

However, funds are required in order to unlock the full potential of the sector.

Advancement in space exploration poses a world of untapped advantages in terms of national security, food security, communication, agricultural management and the overall development of the nation which Nigeria requires as a nation to boost economic growth and development.