Yes, Nigeria has a space programme. Since 2003 the West African country has been operating its own satellites, three of which are currently collecting data from Earth orbit. But this week Nigeria's space agency came under fire after UK newspaper the Daily Mail reported on British politicians questioning why Nigeria is spending money on satellites while accepting foreign aid for the large proportion of its citizens who live in poverty.

In fact, the country's satellites support food production in the region and disaster relief around the world – including helping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the US.

Nigeria's National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) launched its first orbiter, NigeriaSat-1, in 2003. The roughly $13 million cost was paid for by the Nigerian government, but it was built by Surrey Space Technology (SST) in the UK and launched from a Russian spaceport.

The spacecraft was equipped with high-resolution optical and infrared cameras. "They are there to look at agriculture production, improving food security," says Audrey Nice of SST. The satellite was also designed for environmental monitoring, such as tracking desertification and even locust swarms.
Eye on disaster

NigeriaSat-1 lasted until 2012, four years longer than expected. It was succeeded by NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X, which both launched in 2011 carrying similar instruments. These satellites were also made at SST, with Nigerian engineers helping to build the latter. In addition to a continued environmental mission, the satellites' high-resolution images of the country will help Nigeria review electoral boundaries ahead of its general elections in 2015.

The NigeriaSats 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.

In 2005 NigeriaSat-1 was the first satellite to send back pictures of the east coast of the US following Hurricane Katrina, says Nice. And the orbiter contributed images to aid workers following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Nigeria provides disaster-related imagery for free, but the country generates income from the satellites by selling other image data.

NASRDA also commissioned a Chinese-built communications satellite, NigComSat-1, that launched from China in 2007. The satellite lost power a year later and was replaced in 2011 by NigComSat-1R, which is currently providing broadcast and internet services in Nigeria.


http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24025-how-nigeria-has-been-using-its-satellites.html#.UgiGcKwaLFI

Why cant you just copy n paste ?

.

Interesting....

Really?

#Faints

Why use satellite to collect date when Calenders full for market?
Even my nokia touch knows the time and date even without mtn network.
Make I hear word o jare.
Satelite ko. Dish ni.

PS. I nor read that long article sha. So nor crucify me.

I folow build am,i gave them the witch tech,

the last time i checked...
browsing the net and buying internet data remains very expensive in Nigeria compared to other countries with or without satelite in space.

Where is musiwa, he is the king of satellite photos

Naija we no dey carry last, very soon the government will start project of going to the sun for electricity which in tune will put billions into their private pockets.

ohhhhh I see.
they fly to the moon but they can't find food for the starving

This doesn't and will not change the fact that we are still 'behind' in development when compared with the rest of the world.

Ok

this is greatnews.

Musiwa will function very well on this thread

I just joined nairaland. please how do I comment on threads?

Now they are scared of what the country might use her technology knowledge and resources for in the nearest future.

ProminentStar: I just joined nairaland. please how do I comment on threads?

your dad could have just used a condom

ProminentStar: I just joined nairaland. please how do I comment on threads?

Smash your device on the ground and your topic will make front page.

Hmmm

A satellite going out of orbit is very dangerous,even more dangerous than a meteor of its size.insufficient orbit velocity i guess.
V < [gr]^1/2

What should i gain from this news na. Is this a great news worth celebration or otherwise i want to know

sheyie2007: your dad could have just used a condom

all I asked for was ur help and since u couldn't do that u should have kept mute.

"Date" or DATA?

ProminentStar: I just joined nairaland. please how do I comment on threads?

do you mean how do i display my foolishn€ss.

Sagytarius°:
Why use satellite to collect date when Calenders full for market?
Even my nokia touch knows the time and date even without mtn network.
Make I hear word o jare.
Satelite ko. Dish ni.

PS. I nor read that long article sha. So nor crucify me.

You know, you don't have to use very dry and unintelligent jokes to mask your ignorance.

Nice one Nigeria.

I love my country.

which satellite helped us monitor our own flooding last year?

In 2005 NigeriaSat-1 was the first satellite to send back pictures of the east coast of the US following Hurricane Katrina, says Nice. And the orbiter contributed images to aid workers following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Nigeria provides disaster-related imagery for free, but the country generates income from the satellites by selling other image data.

how much?